THE 


HISTORY 


BOSTON    ATHEN^UM, 


BIOGRAPHICAL   NOTICES 


DECEASED    FOUNDERS. 


By    JOSIAH    QUINCY. 


CAMBRIDGE: 
METCALF  AND  COMPANY, 

PRINTERS    TO    THE    UNIVFRSITV. 

1851. 


LIBRARY 
^-^-^  UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA, 

/^  ^  SANTA  BARBARA 

■37/    (P? 


PREFACE. 


The  occasion  and  motives  for  preparing  this  His- 
tory and  the  subjoined  Biographical  Notices  will  ap- 
pear from  the  following  statements. 

The  corner  stone  of  the  new  edifice  for  the  Bos- 
ton Athenaeum,  in  Beacon  Street,  was  laid  on  the 
27th  day  of  April,  1847,  with  the  customary  formalities. 
At  the  request  of  Thomas  G.  Gary  and  John  A. 
Lowell,  the  President  and  Vice-President  of  the  in- 
stitution, the  Address  inserted  in  this  History  was  de- 
livered. Subsequently  a  wish  was  expressed  by  those 
gentlemen,  that  the  outline  then  sketched  should  be 
filled  up.  Although  aware  that  the  materials  for  the 
task  were,  some  of  them,  difficult  to  be  obtained,  my 
relation  to  the  founders  of  the  Athenaeum,  and  to 
the  institution  itself,  induced  me  to  comply  with  their 
request. 

The  early  members  of  the  Anthology  Club  were 
the  first  and  efficient  founders  of  the  Boston  Athe- 
naeum. AH  of  them  were  my  contemporaries,  and, 
with  the  exception  of  Gardiner,  Emerson,  and  Knk- 


iv  PREFACE. 

land,  my  juniors.  With  most  of  them  my  intercourse 
had  been  intimate ;  and  I  could  not-  but  regret  that  so 
little  is  known  of  them  by  a  generation  now  en- 
joying the  benefits  of  an  institution  which  had  its 
origin  in  their  love  of  letters  and  their  patriotic  spirit. 

With  William  Smith  Shaw,  who  is  better  entitled 
than  any  other  individual  to  the  name  of  Founder  of 
the  Athenaeum,  my  intimacy,  through  his  whole  life, 
was  strict  and  confidential.  I  was  a  constant  ^^it- 
ness  of  the  energy,  zeal,  and  devotedness  with  which 
he  watched  over  it  in  its  embryo  state,  and  knew  his 
fond  anticipations  concerning  its  future  greatness  and 
usefulness.  My  o\vn  early  interest  in  the  design,  which 
thus  occupied  Mr.  Shaw's  thoughts  and  affections,  is 
indicated  by  the  records  of  the  institution,  which 
show,  that  my  name  was  the  fourth  on  the  list  of 
the  first  subscribers,  and  that  my  subscription  was  the 
largest  that  the  terms  of  the  first  subscription  allowed. 
My  duties  at  that  period,  as  a  member  of  the  Con- 
gress of  the  United  States  from  Boston,  prevented 
my  being  a  member  of  the  Anthology  Club,  or  hold- 
ing any  official  connection  with  the  Athenaeum  until 
my  resignation  of  my  station  at  Washington  in  1813. 
During  the  fifteen  succeeding  years,  I  was  elected 
without  intermission  into  the  board  of  Trustees ;  and 
during  the  last  nine  of  those  years,  and  until  my 
removal  to  Harvard  University,  in  1829,  I  was  Pres- 
ident of  the  Athenaeum. 

These   circumstances   induced   me   to  comply  with 


PREFACE.  V 

the  request  of  the  officers  of  the  Athenaeum,  as  there 
seemed  to  be  no  other  individual  who  united  the  kind 
of  qualifications  they  confen-ed  with  leisure  to  make 
the  researches,  and  apply  the  labor,  required.  Accord- 
ingly I  commenced  this  History  in  the  autumn  of  1847, 
and,  by  means  of  the  records  of  the  institution,  traced 
its  progress  to  that  stage  of  prosperity  which  in  the 
course  of  years  it  has  attained.  In  this  part  of  the 
work,  my  chief  object  has  been,  by  abstracting  and  con- 
densing, to  enable  the  Athenaeum  to  narrate  its  OAvn 
history ;  which  would  thus  be  unexceptionable  in  form, 
and  more  satisfactory  in  effect.  Its  founders  and  pa- 
trons will  thus  appear  in  their  true  and  relative  propor- 
tions. The  difficulties,  with  which  from  time  to  time 
it  has  been  compelled  to  struggle,  will  in  this  way  best 
be  made  apparent ;  and  the  friends,  who  in  such 
emergencies  have  come  to  its  aid,  will  be  seen  in  con- 
nection with  the  circumstances  which  excited  into  ac- 
tion their  liberal  spirit. 

The  strong  hold  which  an  institution  of  this  char- 
acter takes  upon  the  affections  of  the  intelligent  and 
prosperous,  in  such  a  community  as  exists  in  this  city 
and  its  vicinity,  is  an  unfailing  assurance,  that,  in 
whatever  difficulties,  incident  to  an  institution  so  ex- 
tensive and  so  constantly  expanding,  it  may  be  tem- 
porarily involved,  it  wiU  at  aU  times  be  nobly  upheld, 
and  gradually  and  triumphantly  raised  to  that  height 
of  greatness  and  usefulness,  which  was  the  object  of 
the  fond  hopes  and  aspirations  of  its  earliest  founders 
and  benefactors. 


VI  PREFACE. 

To  the  History  of  the  AthenaEum,  prepared  with 
these  views,  are  subjoined  Memoirs  of  those  of  its 
first  founders,  who,  from  their  early  death  or  the  cir- 
cumstances of  their  lives,  have  not  yet  received  that 
public  tribute,  which,  from  their  agency  in  laying  the 
foundation  of  this  institution,  and  their  virtues  and 
attainments,  is  due  to  their  memories.  Through  the 
lapse  of  time,  the  materials  for  doing  justice  to  their 
merits  and  services  are  unattainable  or  few.  Enough, 
however,  it  is  hoped,  wall  be  collected  and  preserved, 
to  give  a  permanent  public  interest  to  their  charac- 
ters. Some  of  these  founders,  by  the  eminence  they 
afterwards  attained  in  public  or  professional  life,  have 
already  secured  for  themselves  enviable  memorials, 
which  render  any  other  tribute  to  them,  except  such 
as  is  exclusively  due  for  their  services  to  the  Athe- 
naeum, unnecessary  here,  perhaps  undesirable. 

In  relation  to  this  part  of  my  work,  it  is  my  duty 
to  acknowledge  the  aid  I  have  received,  in  the  notice 
of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Gardiner,  from  his  son,  William  H. 
Gardiner,  and  his  relative,  Robert  Hallowell  Gar- 
diner; and  in  that  of  Arthur  Maynard  Walter,  from 
his  niece,  Mrs.  Cornelia  Walter  Richards^  who  kindly 
favored  me  with  a  sketch  she  had  prepared  of  his 
life,  from  which  I  derived  great  assistance.  In  my 
notice  of  William  Tudor,  also,  I  am  under  obligations 
to  his  brother,  Frederic  Tudor,  and  his  brother-in-law, 
Robert  Hallowell  Gardiner ;  and,  in  that  of  Wil- 
liam Smith  Shaw,  to  his  brother-in-law,  the  Rev. 
Joseph  B.  Felt. 


PREFACE.  Vll 

As,  from  the  nature  of  this  History,  and  the  man- 
ner in  which  it  has  been  prepared,  its  usefuLiess  must 
chiefly  depend  upon  its  fulness  and  exactness,  I  have 
the  satisfaction  to  state,  that  I  have  been  aided  by 
Charles  Folsom,  the  Librarian  of  the  Athenaeum,  who 
has,  at  my  request,  faithfully  compared  my  manuscript 
with  the  records  of  the  Proprietors  and  Trustees ;  and, 
by  testing,  correcting,  and  sometimes  enlarging  my 
selections,  has  given  the  best  assurance,  that  the  case 
admits,  of  the  completeness  and  accuracy  of  the  work. 

JOSIAH  QUINCY. 
Boston,  December  31,  1850. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER    I. 

PAGE 

The  Anthology  Society.  —  Its  Origin.  —  Its  Members.  —  Objects  of 
the  Association.  —  Establishes  a  Library.  —  Issues  a  Prospectus 
for  a  Reading-Room.  —  Its  Success,  and  the  resulting  Funds. — 
Its  Transfer  of  them  all  to  Trustees.  — Principles  and  Objects  of 
the  Transfer.  —  The  Trustees  announce  their  Intention  to  estab- 
lish an  Athenajum.  —  They  Petition  for  an  Act  of  Incorporation, 
and  obtain  it  from  the  Legislature 1 


CHAPTER    II. 

Organization  of  the  Corporation  under  its  Charter.  —  A  Memoir 
issued  of  the  Histoiy,  Plan,  and  State  of  the  Institution.  —  Re- 
sult of  this  Measure.  —  The  Corporation  in  consequence  organ- 
ized anew.  —  Philosophical  Apparatus  purchased.  —  Life  Shares 
granted  to  the  Members  of  the  Anthology  Club. — Emban-ass- 
ments  arising  from  Public  Events.  —  Code  of  egulations  adopt- 
ed. —  A  Site  for  a  Building  purchased  in  Tremont  Street.  — 
Catalogue  of  the  Library  begun.  —  Amount  of  the  Property  of 
the  Athenceum  in  August,  ISIL  —  A  Cabinet  of  Natural  History 
commenced.  —  Languishing  State  of  the  Institution  during,  and 
at  the  Close  of,  the  War  with  Great  Britain.         .        .        .        .23 


CHAPTER    III. 

Revival  of  the  Institution  under  the  vigorous  Administration  of 
John  Lowell.  —  Measures  adopted  for  obtaining  a  New  Building. 
—  Difficulties  in  the  Way  of  Success.  —  Relieved  by  the  Liberal- 
ity of  James  Perkins.  —  The  Offer  of  his  Ma  ion-House,  in 
Pearl  Street.  —  The  Principles  of  that  Oft'er.  —  Its  Acceptance, 
and  the  Removal  of  the  Institution.  —  The  Death  and  Character 
of  this  Benefactor 62 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER    IV. 

A  Collection  of  Paintings  anil  Sculpture  commenced.  —  Measures 
for  establishing  Annual  Courses  of  Lectures.  —  Union  of  King's 
Chapel  Library  and  the  Theological  Library  ivitii  the  Athenaeum. 
—  A  Portion  of  the  Library  permitted  to  be  circulated.  —  The 
Scientific  Library  and  the  Boston  Medical  Library  united  ■with 
the  Athenieum.  —  Plan  for  Erecting  a  Building  for  the  Exhibi- 
tion of  Works  of  Art,  and  for  a  Lecture-Room.' —  Difficulties  at- 
tending its  Execution. — Liberal  Oifers  of  Thomas  Handasyd 
Perkins  and  James  Perkins.  —  Consequent  great  Enlargement  of 
the  Funds  of  the  Institution. 86 


CHAPTER    V. 

Sales  of  New  Shares  authorized.  —  By-Laws  relative  to  taking 
out  Books.  —  Settlement  with  the  Administrator  of  William  S. 
Shaw.  —  His  Portrait  obtained.  —  Tribute  to  his  Memory.  — 
Shelf  Catalogue  of  the  Library  prepared.  —  Measures  for  making 
it  a  Circulating  Library.  —  Room  containing  Casts  opened  to 
Artists.  —  General  By-Laws  established.  —  Treasurer's  State- 
ments.—  Proceeds  of  the  first  four  Exhibitions  of  Paintings. — 
Appropriated  to  the  Encouragement  of  the  Fine  Arts.  —  Books 
and  Maps  relative  to  the  Boundary  of  Maine  lent  to  tlie  L^nited 
States.  —  Stuart's  original  Pictures  of  General  and  Mrs.  Wash- 
ington purchased.  —  Final  Report  of  the  Committee  on  Supply- 
ing Deficiencies  in  the  Libraiy 106 


CHAPTER    VI. 

State  of  the  Library  and  Treasury.  —  Proposition  to  enable  Pro- 
prietors to  take  out  ooks  free  of  Charge,  rejected.  —  Volumes 
missing  from  the  Library,  and  Measures  taken  on  the  Subject.  — 
Tribute  to  the  Memory  of  Dr.  Bowditch.  —  Measures  taken  to 
erect  a  Monument  to  his  Memory.  —  Donation  of  George  W. 
Brimmer.  —  Bequest  of  Ambrose  S.  Courtis,  and  Tribute  to  his 
Memory.  —  Catalogue  of  Coins  belonging  to  the  Athenteum,  pre- 
pared by  Charles  F.  Adams.  —  Trustees  of  the  Athenasum  ap- 
pointed Visitors  of  the  Lowell  Trust.  —  Measures  are  taken  for 
the  Removal  of  the  Athenreum  from  the  House  in  Pearl  Street. 
—  The  Approbation  of  the  Widow  of  the  Donor  is  solicited  and 
granted.  —  Pro.sperous  State  of  the  Institution 131 


CONTENTS.  XI 


CHAPTEK    VII. 

Measures  taken  for  removing  the  Institution.  —  Crawford's  Marble 
Statue  of  Orpheus  purchased.  —  Building  erected  for  it.  —  Great 
Enlargement  of  the  Funds  of  the  Athenajum,  on  Condition  of  its 
Kemoval.  —  A  Site  on  Tremont  Street  purchased.  —  Premium 
offered  for  the  best  Plan  of  a  New  Edifice.  —  That  offered  by- 
George  M.  Dexter  accepted. —  Change  of  the  proposed  Site  of 
the  New  Edifice  from  Tremont  Street  to  Beacon  Street.  —  Plan, 
adapted  to  the  New  Site,  and  designed  by  Edward  C.  Cabot,  ac- 
cepted. —  Noble  Donation  of  John  Bromfield  for  the  Increase  of 
the  Library.  —  Facts,  and  Measures  adopted,  in  respect  to  that 
Donation.  —  Charles  Folsom  chosen  Librarian.  —  Great  Prosper- 
ity of  the  Athenaeum.  —  Corner  Stone  of  the  New  Edifice  laid 
with  due  Ceremonies 152 


CHAPTER    VIII. 

Progress  of  the  Institution.  —  The  Exterior  of  the  New  Building 
erected  at  an  Expense  exceeding  the  Estimates.  —  The  Occasion 
of  that  Excess.  —  The  principal  Library-Room  ordered  to  be  fin- 
ished, and  the  other  Parts  of  the  Interior  to  be  left  unfinished.  — 
A  Project  to  convert  the  Athenteum  into  a  City  Library,  dis- 
cussed and  rejected.  —  Death  of  Enoch  Hale,  one  of  the  Tnistees. 

—  Vote  on  that  Occasion. —  Part  of  the  Libraiy  of  Washington 
received.  —  The  main  Library-Room  finished,  the  Books  removed 
and  arranged,  and  its  Occupation  authoi'ized.  —  Measiu-es  adopted 
for  raising  the  Funds  necessaiw  for  completing  the  Interior  of  the 
New  Building. —  The  Death  of  John  Bromfield  announced  and 
appropriately  noticed.  —  The  Sale  of  the  Estate  in  Pearl  Street 
ratified  by  the  Proprietors.  —  Committee  raised  for  obtaining  the 
necessary  Funds  for  finishing  the  New  Building. —  Their  Report. 

—  Thanks  of  the  Proprietors  for  their  successful  Labors,  and 
Votes  passed  for  giving  full  Effect  to  their  Proceedings.  —  Com- 
mittee raised,  with  Authority  to  sell  New  Shares  sufficient  for  that 
Object,  and  to  take  Measures  to  complete  the  New  Building.        .  183 


CHAPTER    IX. 

Measures  adopted  by  the  Trustees  for  carrying  into  Effect  a  Vote  of 
the  Proprietors  relative  to  New  Subscriptions,  and  for  completing 
the  Athenaeum  Building.  —  Plans,  by  Mr.  Billings,  of  a  Change  in 


Xll  CONTENTS. 

the  Vestibnlo  proposed.  —  The  Trustees  of  the  State  Library  per- 
mitted to  dei)Osit  Books  in  the  Athenajura, —  Plans,  Specifica- 
tions, Estimates,  and  Proposals  for  the  Completion  of  the  Build- 
ing submitted.  —  Report  thereon.  —  Mr.  Billings's  Plans  amended, 
laid  before  the  Trustees,  and  accepted.  —  Final  Report  thereon. — 
Acceptance  of  the  Proposals  of  Theophilus  Burr.  —  The  Presi- 
dent authorized  to  sign  a  Contract  with  him  for  the  Completion 
of  the  Building,  and  the  Standing  Committee  charged  with  the 
Direction  of  such  Removal  of  the  Property  in  it,  as  might  be  ne- 
cessary during  the  Progress  of  the  Work.  —  Concluding  Remarks.  231 


Chronological  List  of  the  Proprietors,  ....  243 
Alphabetical  List  of  the  Proprietors,  ....  254 
List  of  Life  Subscribers, 264 


BIOGRAPHICAL    NOTICES   OF    FOUNDERS 


BOSTON    ATHEN^UM 


John  Sylvester  John  Gardiner, 3 

William  Emerson,            11 

Arthur  Matnard  Walter, 13 

William  Smith  Sh.\w, 22 

Peter  Oxenbridge  Thacher  and 

Samuel  Cooper  Thacher, 45 

Joseph  Stevens  Buckminster, 49 

William  Tudor, .54 

John  Thornton  Kirkland, 64 


Memoir  of  John  Bromfield, 


HISTOKY. 


CHAPTER  I. 

THE  ANTHOLOGY  SOCIETY  —  ITS  ORIGIN  —  ITS  MEMBERS  —  OBJECTS  OF 

THE  ASSOCIATION  —  ESTABLISHES  A  LIBRARY ISSUES  A  PROSPECTUS 

FOR  A  READING-ROOM ITS  SUCCESS    AND    THE  RESULTING    FUNDS 

ITS      TRANSFER     OF     THEM     ALL     TO     TRUSTEES PRINCIPLES      AND 

OBJECTS  OF  THE  TRANSFER THE  TRUSTEES  ANNOUNCE  THEIR  IN- 
TENTION TO  ESTABLISH  AN  ATHEN^UM  —  THEY  PETITION  FOR  AN 
ACT    OF    INCORPORATION,    AND    OBTAIN    IT    FROM    THE    LEGISLATURE. 

In  the  year  1804  an  association  of  literary  men  was 
formed  in  Boston,  under  the  name  of  "  The  Anthology 
Society,"  which  was  afterwards  generally  known  by  that  of 
the  Anthology  Club. 

The  following  circumstances  led  to  tliis  association.     In 
the    year  1803  Phineas  Adams,*  a  graduate  of  Harvard 


*  Mr.  Adams,  the  son  of  a  farmer  in  Lexington,  Massachusetts,  manifested 
in  early  boyhood  a  passion  for  elegant  learning,  which  the  scanty  means  of  his 
father  forbade  him  to  indulge.  He  was  placed  with  a  paper-maker  to  learn 
a  trade,  where  his  fondness  for  letters  attracted  the  notice  of  the  late  Mrs. 
Foster  of  Brighton,  a  lady  of  literary  celebrity  at  that  time  ;  and,  under  her 
kind  patronage,  he  was  enabled  to  leave  his  uncongenial  employment  and  pre- 
pare himself  for  College,  which  he  entered  at  the  age  of  twenty.  He  adopted 
literature  as  a  profession  ;  but,  after  the  failure  of  his  attempt,  as  editor  of  the 
Anthology,  he  taught  a  school  in  different  places,  till,  in  1811,  he  entered  the 
Navy  as  chaplain  and  teacher  of  Mathematics.  Here  he  applied  himself  to 
severer  studies,  and  became  distinguished  for  mathematical  science  in  its  rela- 
1 


2  HISTORY   OF 

College,  of  the  class  of  1801,  commenced  in  Boston, 
under  the  name  of  Sylvanus  Perse,  a  periodical  work, 
entitled  "  The  Monthly  Anthology,  or  Magazine  of  Polite 
Literature."  He  conducted  it  for  six  months ;  but,  not 
findmg  its  proceeds  sufficient  for  his  support,  he  abandoned 
the  undertaking,  and  soon  afterwards  left  New  England. 
Messrs.  Munroe  and  Francis,  at  that  time  young  and  en- 
terprising printers  in  Boston,  being  desirous  that  the  work 
should  be  continued,  applied  to  the  Rev.  William  Emerson, 
a  clergyman  of  the  place,  distinguished  for  energy  and 
literary  taste ;  and  by  his  exertions  several  gentlemen  of 
Boston  and  its  vicinity,  conspicuous  for  talent  and  zealous 
for  literature,  were  induced  to  engage  m  conducting  the 
work,  and  for  this  purpose  they  formed  themselves  into  a 
Society.  The  circumstances  which  led  to  this  undertak- 
ing and  the  cause  of  their  assuming  the  responsibihty  of 
the  work,  they  stated  to  the  public  afterwards  in  the 
Preface  to  the  first  volume,  in  Avhich  the  title  was  changed 
to  "  The  Monthly  Anthology  and  Boston  Review." 

The  associates  seem  to  have  cooperated  without  a  regular 
organization  for  more  than  a  year.     No  record  of  their 


tion  lo  nautical  affairs,  at  a  period  when  scientific  attainments  were  not  com- 
mon in  the  Navy.  On  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  with  Great  Britain,  in 
1812,  he  accompanied  Commodore  Porter,  on  board  the  frigate  Essex,  in  his 
eventful  cruise  in  the  Pacific,  of  which  the  published  "Journal"  bears  honor- 
able testimony  to  Mr.  Adams's  "  zeal  for  promoting  geographical  and  mathe- 
matical knowledge."  His  love  of  intellectual  pursuits  accompanied  him  in 
every  clime,  and  by  his  example  he  maintained  their  dignity  and  interest  un- 
der all  the  unfavorable  circumstances  of  a  naval  life.  He  never  again  resided 
in  New  England.  Rejoining  his  old  commander  in  the  expedition  for  the 
suppression  of  piracy  in  the  West  Indies,  he  died  on  that  station  in  the  year 
1823,  much  respected  in  the  service.  Invincible  diffidence  and  an  excitable 
temperament  were  the  occasion  of  great  eccentricity  of  manners  ;  but  a  warm 
heart,  sound  sense,  high  purposes,  and  a  strong  will  did  credit  to  his  New 
England  origin,  and  made  him  a  remarkable  person  with  those  among  whom 
his  lot  was  cast.  Out  of  regard  to  Commodore  David  Porter,  he  prefixed 
David  to  his  own  name,  and  thus  it  now  stands  in  the  College  Catalogue. 


THE   BOSTON   ATHEN^UM.  6 

meetings  during  that  period  is  preserved ;  but  in  the  course 
of  it  the  J  appointed  Arthur  Maynard  Walter,  Wilham  Smith 
Shaw,  and  Joseph  Stevens  Buckminster  a  committee  to 
prepare  a  draft  of  a  Constitution  for  their  Society.  Their 
report  was  received,  discussed,  and  adopted,  and  the  Consti- 
tution was  signed,  on  the  3d  of  October,  1805.  This  instru- 
ment contains  only  a  series  of  articles  providing  for  the 
usual  officers  deemed  requisite  in  such  societies,  and 
prescribing  the  time  and  mode  of  their  election,  rules  for 
the  admission  of  members,  and  particularly  the  mode  in 
which  the  editorial  chau"  should  be  filled,  and  the  papers 
presented  for  pubhcation  should  be  read  and  disposed  of. 

At  this  meeting,  which  they  regarded  as  the  date  of  the 
formal  beginning  of  their  Society,  John  Sylvester  John 
Gardiner  was  elected  President ;  Wilham  Emerson,  Vice- 
President  ;  Arthur  Maynard  Walter,  Secretary ;  William 
Smith  Shaw,  Treasurer;  and  Samuel  Cooper  Thacher, 
Editor. 

The  Society,  thus  formed,  maintained  its  existence  with 
reputation  for  about  six  years,  and  issued  ten  octavo  volumes 
from  the  press,  constituting  one  of  the  most  lasting  and 
honorable  monuments  of  the  taste  and  hterature  of  the  period. 
Its  labors  may  be  considered  as  a  true  revival  of  pohte  learn- 
ing m  this  comitry,  after  that  decay  and  neglect,  which 
resulted  from  the  distractions  of  the  Revolutionary  War,  and 
as  forming  an  epoch  in  the  intellectual  history  of  the  United 
States.  Its  records  yet  remain,  an  evidence  that  it  was  a 
pleasant,  active,  high-principled  association  of  hterary  men, 
laboring  harmoniously  to  elevate  the  hterary  standard  of 
the  time,  and  with  a  success  which  may  well  be  regarded 
as  remarkable,  considermg  the  httle  sympathy  they  received 
from  the  community,  and  the  many  difficulties  with  which 
they  had  to  struggle. 


4  HISTORY   OF 

The  origmal  members  of  the  Society  were  fourteen,  viz. 
John  Sylvester  John  Gardiner, 
William  Emerson, 
Arthur  Maynard  "Walter, 
William  Smith  Shaw, 
Samuel  Cooper  Thacher, 
Joseph  Stevens  Buckminster, 
Joseph  Tuckerman, 
William  Tudor,  Jr. , 
Peter  [Oxenbridge]  Thacher,* 
Thomas  Gray, 
William  Wells, 
Edmund  Trowbridge  Dana, 
John  Collins  Warren, 
James  Jackson. 

The  Society  had  existed  not  more  than  twenty  days, 
before  a  vote  was  passed  for  the  formation  of  a  Library. 
This  vote  was  the  first  and  feeble  germ,  which,  in  its  devel- 
opement,  has  expanded  into  the  large  collection  of  books, 
works  of  art,  and  other  property  devoted  to  their  preserva- 
tion and  increase,  which  are  now  comprehended  within  the 
Boston  Athengeum.  As  such,  it  deserves  to  be  perpetuated 
in  the  same  simple  and  unpretending  form,  in  which  it 
appears  in  the  Society's  records  : 

"  At  a  meeting  of  the  Anthology  Society,  at  Mr.  Gardi- 
ner's, in  Franklin  Place,  on  Wednesday,  the  23d  of  Octo- 
ber, 1805,  after  some  desultory  remarks  from  various  mem- 
bers on  the  subject  of  a  Library,  it  was  voted,  on  motion 
of  ]SIr.  Emerson,  seconded  by  Mr.  Shaw,  that  a  library  of 
periodical  pubhcations  be  instituted  for  the  use  of  the  Society. 


*  The  name  of  Oxenbridge  was  added,  by  authority  of  the  Legislature  of 
Mass:u:husetts,  in  1811. 


THE   BOSTON   ATHEN^UM.  6 

"  Mr.  Gardiner  then  oflPered  to  present  a  large  number  of 
the  volumes  of  the  '  Gentleman's  Magazine.'  This  offer 
was  accepted,  and  the  thanks  of  the  Society  were,  on  mo- 
tion, presented  to  him  therefor. 

"  Mr.  Emerson  made  an  offer  of  twenty  volumes  of  the 
*  Monthly  Magazine,'  '  European  Magazme,'  '  Analytical' 
and  'Critical'  Reviews,  and  various  volumes  of  newspapers. 
The  thanks  of  the  Society  were  presented  to  him  for  these 
gifts. 

"  Mr.  Tudor  offered  to  present  several  numbers  of  the 
'  Mercm-e  de  France,'  and  '  La  Decade ' ;  this  offer  was 
accepted. 

"  Mr.  Shaw  presents  various  numbers  of  the  '  Anti- 
Jacobin,'  and  he  received  the  thanks  of  the  Society. 

"  Mr.  Buckminster  presents  several  loose  numbers  of  the 
'  Monthly  Re;dew,'  and  received  the  thanks  of  the  Society. 

"  Voted,  that  the  Standing  Committee  draw  up  regulations 
for  the  Library,  and  make  aU  necessary  arrangements  rela- 
tive thereto. 

"  Voted,  that  the  several  donors  of  books  this  evening, 
send  their  gifts  to  the  Librarian's  office." 

In  December,  1805,  the  origiaal  associates  elected  Ben- 
jamin Welles  and  Robert  Hallowell  Gardiner  mem- 
bers of  the  Society.  In  the  course  of  the  four  months 
ensuing,  their  Ubrary  had  so  far  increased  as  to  encom-age 
them  to  give  to  it  a  greater  pubUcity,  and  to  attempt  a 
farther  enlargement  of  it.  The  next  step  taken  on  the 
subject  is  thus  stated  in  the  records  : 

"  Friday,  May  2d,  1806,  at  a  meeting  of  the  Anthology 
Society,  the  only  business  transacted  was  relative  to  a 
Reading-room,  to  be  estabhshed  in  this  town.  Some  con- 
versation had  formerly  taken  place  on  this  subject,  in 
which  Mr.  Shaw  was  principally  active ;  he  now  brought 


6  HISTOKY   OF 

it  forward  for  more  general  discussion.  The  object  met 
■vvith  great  approbation  from  the  Society  ;  and,  after  much 
desultory  remark,  on  the  motion  of  Mr.  Shaw,  a  committee 
of  five  was  appointed  to  consider  the  whole  aflkir,  and  to 
report  to  the  Society.  The  committee  consisted  of  the 
President,  the  Vice-President,  Mr.  Shaw,  Mr.  Buckminster, 
and  the  Secretary." 

The  next  meeting  of  the  Society  was  on  Monday,  May 
6th,  1806,  and  the  proceedmgs  of  this  day  are  thus  stated 
in  the  records : 

"  The  committee,  appointed  at  the  last  meeting,  met  at  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Gardiner's.  Mr.  Shaw  read  and  proposed  a  Pros- 
pectus ;  this  underwent  a  number  of  alterations.  The  name 
of  the  estabhshment  was  agreed  to  be  '  The  Anthology 
Reading-room.' 

"  Mr.  Shaw's  amended  Prospectus  was  at  length  accepted 
by  general  consent,  and  it  was  determmed  that  the  same 
should  be  prmted.  Much  conversation  was  had  on  the 
details  of  the  Plan.  After  diimer  the  Society  agreed  to 
the  Plan  and  Prospectus  ;  and  the  whole  system,  as  far  as 
settled,  was  approved  of  by  other  gentlemen,  whom  the 
President  had  invited  to  dinner." 

The  Prospectus  of  the  Reading-room  was  then  published, 
and  assiduously  circulated,  in  the  following  terms : 

'•''  Proposal  for  the  Establishing  of  a  Reading-room  in  Boston^ 
to  he  called  The  Anthology  Reading-room. 
"  The  Editors  of  the  Anthology,  in  presenting  the  following 
proposal  for  the  establishment  of  a  Public  Reading-room  in 
this  town,  by  subscription,  to  be  called  The  Anthology  Read- 
ing-room, flatter  themselves,  that  a  project  which  may  be 
made  so  auxiliary  to  literature,  and  so  useful  to  the  public, 
will  receive  ample  patronage  from  the  liberal  gentlemen  of 


THE   BOSTON   ATHENiEUM.  7 

Boston.  The  projected  Plan  will  not  only  afford  the  subscrib- 
ers an  agreeable  place  of  resort,  but  opportunities  of  literary 
intercourse,  and  the  pleasure  of  perusing  the  principal  Euro- 
pean and  American  periodical  publications,  at  an  expense  not 
exceeding  that  of  a  single  daily  paper. 

"  Plan.  —  The  gentlemen  engage  to  provide  a  commodious 
room,  easy  of  access,  in  a  central  part  of  the  town.  It  shall  be 
open  from  nine  o'clock  in  the  morning  till  nine  in  the  evening. 

"  The  Reading-room  shall  be  furnished  with  seats,  tables, 
paper,  pens,  and  ink  ;  with  the  Boston  papers,  and  all  the  cele- 
brated gazettes  published  in  any  part  of  the  United  States  ;  with 
the  most  interesting  literary  and  political  pamphlets  in  Europe 
and  America ;  with  magazines,  reviews,  and  scientific  jour- 
nals ;  London  and  Paris  newspapers ;  Steel's  Army  and  Navy 
Lists  ;  Naval  Chronicle  ;  London  and  Paris  booksellers'  Cata- 
logues ;  Parliamentary  Debates  ;  bibliographical  works,  &c. 
&c.  The  gazettes,  magazines,  &c.  shall  be  bound  in  semi- 
annual volumes,  and  preserved  for  the  use  of  the  establishment. 

"  Should  this  attempt  be  encouraged,  it  is  contemplated  to 
furnish  the  Reading-room  with  maps,  charts,  and  to  collect  such 
rare,  standard,  and  costly  works,  of  useful  reference,  &:c.  &c. 
as  may  enhance  the  value  and  reputation  of  the  institution. 

"  The  annual  subscription  is  Ten  Dollars ;  the  money  to  be 
paid  on  subscribing." 

The  result  was  a  subscription  of  upwards  of  sixteen 
hundred  dollars  by  more  than  one  hundred  subscribers. 

In  June,  1806,  Robert  Field  ;  in  July,  James  Savage  ; 
and  in  October,  John  Thornton  Kirkland,  were  elected 
members  of  the  Society. 

The  above-named  nineteen  individuals  composed  the 
Anthology  Club,  when  on  the  80th  of  October,  1800,  a 
plan  for  transferring  the  Library  of  the  Society,  and  placing 
the  public  Reading-room,  which  they  had  established  in  the 
May  preceding,  under  the  control  of  a  body  politic  to  be 


8  HISTORY   OF 

chartered  bj  the  legislature,  Avas  matured,  and  incipient 
steps  were  taken  to  carry  it  into  effect.  For  tliis  purpose, 
five  trvistees,  WilUam  Emerson,  John  Thornton  Kirkland, 
Peter  Oxenbridge  Thacher,  William  Smith  Shaw,  and 
Arthur  Maynard  Walter,  were  elected  by  ballot,  to  whom, 
by  a  formal  legal  instrument,  all  the  associated  members 
"  granted,  bargained,  and  sold  all  the  books,  papers,  and 
other  property"  belonging  to  the  institution.  The  inden- 
ture contained  many  provisions,  having  for  their  object  to 
insure  the  application  of  the  transferred  property  to  the 
original  purpose  of  the  Anthology  Society.  The  substantial 
authority  conveyed  Avas,  however,  contained  in  the  following 
clause :  "  And,  should  it  ever  hereafter  be  for  the  benefit 
of  the  institution  to  convert  the  same  into  a  body  politic, 
under  a  charter  from  the  government  of  this  Commonwealth, 
the  said  trustees  severally  engage  to  resign  their  trust,  and 
to  make  such  transfer  to  such  body  politic,  by  whatever 
name  the  same  shall  be  caUed,  as  shall  vest  the  property  in 
the  same  as  fully  as  it  is  now  vested  in  the  said  trustees." 

The  trustees  also  engaged  "  to  preserve  the  property ;  to 
enlarge  the  Library  from  time  to  time  ;  to  render  it  more 
valuable  by  sale,  exchange,  purchase,  and  otherwise  ;  and  to 
use  their  best  endeavoui-s  to  obtain  subscriptions,  donations, 
and  deposits." 

To  the  increase  of  the  institution,  the  Society  also  de- 
voted the  profits  which  should  accrue  from  the  "  Monthly 
Anthology";  in  which  they  afterwards  repeatedly  urged 
this  fact,  by  way  of  inducement  to  the  public  to  become 
subscribers  to  the  Anthology,  and  thus  benefactors  to  the 
Athenoeum. 

In  the  "  Editors'  Address,"  prefixed  to  their  volume  for 
1807,  they  say : 

"  We  must  confess,  however,  that  we  have  a  motive  some- 
what interested  for  wishing,  that  the  pecuniary  receipts  of  our 


THE   BOSTON  ATHENiEUM.  V 

publication  may  rise  as  high  as  possible  above  its  demands, 
which  is,  that  all  the  surplus  funds  are  applied  to  the  support 
and  increase  of  a  Public  Library ;  one  of  those  institu- 
tions, of  which  every  scholar  in  most  parts  of  our  country 
feels  the  want,  —  which  our  government,  from  its  nature,  does 
not  comprise  within  its  cares,  —  and  which  nothing  but  the 
industry  and  munificence  of  individuals  will  establish  and  sup- 
ply. The  respectable  patronage  now  given  to  the  Anthology 
is  sufficient  to  encourage  our  perseverance.  But  we  wish  its 
more  extensive  circulation ;  and  hope  its  friends  will  speak  in 
its  favor.  We  wish  this  increase  of  patronage,  not  merely 
because  this  work  is  the  object  of  our  affection,  and  partly  the 
fruit  of  our  industry  and  genius,  such  as  they  are ;  nor  merely 
from  an  opinion  that  it  may  contribute  to  make  its  readers  more 
wise,  good,  and  happy,  —  but  also,  because  its  avails  go  to  a 
general  object  of  real  importance."  * 

Again,  in  November  of  the  same  year,  after  an  announce- 
ment of  various  donations  to  the  Athenaeum,  and  a  splendid 
encomium  on  "  the  mass  of  human  knowledge,"  as  "  recorded 
in  volumes,"  thej  speak  of  "  the  dignity,  importance,  and 
pleasures"  belonging  to  "large  repositories  of  books,"  and 
then  add : 

"  It  is  a  subject  of  high  congratulation  to  record  the  estab- 
lishment of  an  institution  in  the  metropolis  of  New  England, 
which  will  be  useful  to  various  classes  of  our  citizens ;  which 
will  assist  and  facilitate  the  researches  of  the  learned,  attract 
and  gratify  the  ingenuous  curiosity  of  strangers.  Let  men  of 
leisure  and  opulence  patronize  the  arts  and  sciences  among 
us ;  let  us  all  love  them,  as  intellectual  men  ;  let  us  encourage 
them,  as  good  citizens.  In  proportion  as  we  increase  in 
wealth,  our  obligations  increase  to  guard  against  the  pernicious 
effects  of  luxury,  by  stimulating  to  a  taste  for  intellectual  en- 
joyment ;  the  more  we  ought  to  perceive  and  urge  the  impor- 
tance of  maintaining  the  laws  by  manners,  manners  by  opin- 

*  Monthly  Anthology,  Vol.  iv.  pp.  3,  4. 
2 


10  HISTORY   OF 

ion,  and  opinion  by  works  in  which  genius  and  taste  unite  to 
embellish  the  truth."  * 

At  the  same  time  they  publish  a  letter  from  one  of  their 
number  (Mr.  Buckminster),  written  from  Liverpool,  in 
which  he  expresses  himself  as  follows  : 

"  The  first  reading-room,  in  my  opinion,  is  the  Athenaeum. 
I  send  you  herewith  the  regulations  and  list  of  the  library. 
The  collection  of  books  is,  I  think,  the  most  select  I  have  ever 
known.  O  when  will  the  day  come,  when  the  library  of  our 
dearly-cherished  Athenaeum  shall  boast  of  including  the  labors 
of  Muratori,  the  Thesauri  of  Graevius  and  Gronovius,  the 
Scriptores  Byzantini,  the  Memoirs  of  the  Academy  of  Inscrip- 
tions, the  editiones  optima,  of  every  author  of  Greece  and 
Rome,  the  French  and  English  literary  journals  ab  initio,  — 
and  not  only  possess  these  books,  but  have  them  always  ac- 
cessible to  every  man  of  letters,  who  wishes  to  consult  them  !  "  t 

Also,  in  March  of  the  next  year,  in  a  direct  "  Address 
to  the  Public,"  their  generous  and  enlightened  zeal  utters 
itself  in  these  prophetic  terms  : 

"  Our  patronage,  if  not  extensive  enough  to  flatter  our  van- 
ity, has  been  of  a  kind  to  content  our  ambition  ;  and  personal 
remuneration  we  never  required,  or  would  accept.  The  ground 
on  which  we  feel  justified  in  making  our  request,  is,  that  we 
do  not  beg  for  ourselves,  but  for  the  Athenaeum,  to  which,  after 
the  necessary  expenses  are  deducted,  all  the  profits  of  the 
work  are  faithfully  devoted.  This  is  a  plea,  which  excuses 
our  request,  and  would,  we  think,  authorize  the  importunity  of 
the  most  sturdy  mendicancy.  He  who  gives  his  subscription, 
is  secure  of  not  throwing  away  his  money ;  for,  however 
worthless  he  may  find  the  Anthology,  he  is  certain  that  he  will 
contribute  to  the  prosperity  of  an  institution,  which,  we  venture 
to  foretell,  will  become  the  honor  and  pride  of  our  city."  \ 

*  Monthly  Anlliology,  Vol.  iv.  p.  601.  t  Ibid.  p.  598. 

X  Vol.  V.  p.  121. 


THE   BOSTOX  ATHEN^UM.  11 

The  fourteen  original  associates  and  founders  of  the 
Anthology  Society,  together  with  the  five  subsequently 
elected  members  above-named,  being  the  grantors  of  the 
books  and  papers  transferred  to  the  tinistees  in  the  manner 
before  mentioned,  are,  of  consequence,  unquestionably  en- 
titled to  the  name  of  original  Founders  of  the  Boston 

ATHENiEUM. 

Of  these  only  seven  now  survive.  The  memories  of  those 
deceased  are  indissolubly  connected  with  the  history  of  this 
institution ;  and  the  closing  pages  of  this  work  will  be  devo- 
ted to  a  series  of  Memoirs,  collected  from  what  yet  remains, 
recorded  or  remembered,  of  their  hves  and  \Trtues.* 

Subsequently  to  tliis  transfer  of  the  property  of  the  insti- 
tution to  trustees,  the  folloA\ing  gentlemen  were,  at  differ- 
ent periods,  elected  members  of  the  Anthology  Society,  viz. 
John  Gorham,  Joseph  McKean,  Andrew  Ritchie,  Alexander 
Hni  Everett,  George  Ticknor,  Sidney  WiUard,  AVinthrop 
Sargent,  John  Stickney,  Andrews  Norton,  Jacob  Bigelow, 
and  Joseph  Head ;  aU  of  them  patrons,  and  one  (George 
Ticknor)  for  a  long  period  a  zealous  and  most  efficient 
officer,  of  the  Boston  Athengeum. 

The  trustees  thus  appoiated,  ha^dng  associated  with 
themselves  Theophilus  Parsons,  Chief  Justice  of  the  Com- 
monwealth, and  John  Da\ds,  District  Judge  of  Massachu- 
setts, John  Lowell,  Robert  HalloweU  Gardiner,  Joseph 
Stevens  Buckminster,  and  Obadiah  Rich,  issued  a  document 
on  the  1st  day  of  January,  1807,  in  which  they  first  divulged 
their  intention  of  founding  in  Boston  an  institution  similar 
to  the  Athenaeum,  then  recently  established  in  Liverpool. 

As  this  publication  expresses  the  general  objects  pro- 
posed by  the  trustees,  and  is  an  evidence  of  their  wise  and 
comprehensive  views  in  relation  to  the  institution,  and  also 
represents  the  state  of  the  Library  at  that  time,  and  the 

*  See  Appendix. 


12  HISTORY   OF 

measures  adopted  for  its  enlargement,  it  is  deemed  proper 
to  republish  it  here  at  length,  as  showing,  better  than  any 
abstract  or  general  statement,  the  spirit  and  foresight  by 
which  they  were  actuated. 

"anthology  reading-room  and  library. 

"  The  Subscribers  to  the  Anthology  Reading-room  and  Li- 
brary are  hereby  informed  that  their  rooms  are  opened.  More 
than  one  hundred  and  sixty  subscribers  at  ten  dollars  a  year 
have  been  obtained.  Rooms  have  been  taken  for  temporary 
accommodation  in  Joy's  Buildings,  in  Congress  Street,  in  the 
flattering  expectation,  that,  when  the  institution  shall  have  gone 
into  operation,  such  patronage  will  be  given  by  a  liberal  pub- 
lic as  will  authorize  the  trustees  to  procure  more  commodious 
apartments.  A  library  consisting  of  more  than  a  thousand 
volumes  of  valuable  works  has  already  been  collected  and 
deposited  in  the  institution,  most  of  which  have  been  donations. 
All  the  property,  books,  and  papers  belonging  to  the  aforesaid 
library  and  reading-room  are  vested  in  the  trustees  hereafter 
named,  who  have  full  powers  to  fill  up  any  vacancy  which 
may  be  occasioned  by  death  or  resignation  from  among  their 
number,  and  to  dispose  and  manage  the  same  with  a  view  to 
the  objects  of  the  institution,  which  is  intended  as  a  foundation 
in  this  metropolis  of  an  establishment  similar  to  that  of  the 
Athenaeum  and  Lyceum  of  Liverpool  in  Great  Britain  ;  com- 
bining the  advantages  of  a  public  library,  containing  the  great 
works  of  learning  and  science  in  all  languages,  particularly 
such  rare  and  expensive  publications  as  are  not  generally  to 
be  obtained  in  this  country  ;  with  a  reading  or  news  room, 
furnished  with  all  the  celebrated  political,  literary,  and  commer- 
cial journals  of  the  day,  foreign  and  domestic.  And  no  book, 
pamphlet,  or  newspaper  is  ever  to  be  permitted  to  be  taken 
from  the  rooms  by  subscribers ;  so  that  the  patrons  of  the  insti- 
tution may  be  certain  at  all  times  of  finding  any  publications, 
which  they  may  have  occasion  to  read  or  refer  to. 


THE   BOSTON  ATHEN^UM.  13 

"  The  following  gentlemen  have  been  appointed  trustees  for 
the  purposes  aforesaid. 

Hon.  Theophilus  Parsons,  ll.d. 
Hon.  John  Davis. 

John  Lowell,  esq. 
Rev.  William  Emerson. 
Rev.  J.  T.  Kirkland,  d.d. 
Peter  Thacher,  esq. 
Arthur  M.  Walter,  esq. 
William  S.  Shaw,  esq. 
R.  Hallowell  Gardiner. 
Rev.  J.  S.  Buckminster. 
Obadiah  Rich. 
Who  hereby  publish  the  following  rules  and  regulations  as 
declaratory  of  their  intentions  in  the  establishment,  and  for  the 
government,  of  the  institution. 

"  Per  order  of  the  trustees, 

"  Theo.  Parsons,  President. 
"  W.  S.  Shaw,  Secretary. 

"  1.  Annual  subscribers  will  be  admitted  to  all  the  privileges 
of  the  library  and  news-room,  on  paying  ten  dollars,  the 
money  to  be  advanced  on  subscribing. 

"  2.  The  income  arising  from  the  annual  subscriptions  shall 
be  appropriated  as  follows :  After  the  necessary  expenses  of 
the  institution  are  paid,  the  first  object  of  the  trustees  will  be 
to  furnish  the  room  with  all  the  celebrated  gazettes,  published 
in  any  part  of  the  United  States,  with  the  most  interesting  lite- 
rary and  political  pamphlets  in  Europe  and  America  ;  with 
magazines,  reviews,  and  scientific  journals,  in  the  English  and 
French  languages ;  London  and  Paris  newspapers  ;  Steel's 
Army  and  Navy  Lists ;  Naval  Chronicle  ;  London  and  Paris 
booksellers'  Catalogues  ;  Parliamentary  Debates  ;  bibliographi- 
cal works  ;  Journals  of  the  Congress  of  the  United  States  ; 
laws  of  Congress,  and  of  the  State  legislatures  ;  American 
state-papers,  maps  and  charts,  voyages  and  travels,  and  the 


14  HISTORY   OF 

interesting  publications  of  the  day,  as  they  appear.  The 
gazettes,  magazines,  pamphlets,  journals,  and  state-papers  shall 
be  bound  in  volumes  and  carefully  preserved  for  the  use  of  the 
establishment.  From  the  then  remainder  of  the  income  from 
annual  subscribers,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  trustees  to  sup- 
ply the  library  with  the  most  valuable  Encyclopaedias  of  the 
arts  and  sciences,  in  the  French  and  English  languages ;  vi^ith 
standard  dictionaries  of  the  learned  and  principal  modern  lan- 
guages ;  also  dictionaries  critical,  biographical,  &c.,  and  books 
of  general  reference,  useful  to  the  merchant  and  scholar. 
Having  complied  with  these  engagements,  the  trustees  will 
apply  whatever  balance  may  remain  from  the  annual  subscrip- 
tions to  the  purchase  of  such  valuable  publications,  as  shall  be 
thought  useful  to  promote  the  objects  of  the  institution. 

"  3.  The  library  and  reading-room  shall  be  open  every  day, 
Sundays  excepted,  from  eight  o'clock  in  the  morning  till  nine 
at  night,  excepting  on  Saturday  evening,  and  at  such  other  times 
as  the  trustees  shall  direct. 

"  4.  Subscribers  desirous  of  making  notes  or  extracts  will  be 
furnished,  at  the  expense  of  the  institution,  with  tables,  pen, 
ink,  paper,  &c.  for  that  purpose. 

"  5.  Every  subscriber  is  requested  to  propose  any  books 
which  he  may  think  proper  for  the  library,  or  any  newspaper, 
literary  or  political  journal,  for  the  reading-room,  by  entering 
its  title  in  a  book  to  be  kept  for  that  purpose  in  the  library. 

"  6.  All  new  books,  pamphlets,  magazines,  and  reviews  shall 
be  placed  on  the  tables  of  the  library  and  reading-room,  and 
remain  there  for  such  length  of  time  as  may  appear  necessary 
for  their  perusal  ;  and  no  book,  pamphlet,  review,  magazine, 
or  newspaper  shall  be  taken  by  subscribers  out  of  the  rooms 
on  penalty  of  forfeiting  their  subscription. 

"  7.  Any  subscriber  injuring  a  book  and  refusing  to  make 
compensation  therefor,  or  otherwise  infringing  the  regulations 
of  this  institution,  that  shall  from  time  to  time  be  made  and 
published,  shall  be  excluded  from  future  access  to  the  rooms 
until  the  next  meeting  of  the   trustees,  when  it  shall  be  the 


THE  BOSTON   ATHEN^UM.  15 

duty  of  the  keeper  of  the  room  to  report,  and  of  the  trustees 
to  take  order  thereon. 

"  8,  No  inhabitant  of  Boston,  who  is  not  a  subscriber  to  the 
institution,  shall  be  allowed  to  have  access  to  the  library  and 
reading-room ;  but  every  subscriber  shall  have  the  liberty  of 
introducing  in  person,  or  by  card,  into  the  reading-room  any 
strangers,  not  exceeding  one  on  the  same  day,  not  residing 
within  five  miles  of  the  library  ;  who  may  have  the  same  use 
of  the  books  and  papers  granted  to  subscribers,  provided  there 
be  entered  in  a  book,  to  be  kept  for  that  purpose,  the  name  of 
the  stranger  and  of  the  person  by  whom  he  is  introduced ; 
and  he  shall  be  responsible  for  his  observing  these  rules  and 
regulations. 

"  9.  Any  strangers,  who  do  not  choose  to  avail  themselves 
of  the  privileges  granted  to  them  in  the  aforesaid  article,  may 
be  permitted  to  become  subscribers  on  application  to  any  one 
of  the  trustees. 

"  10.  The  trustees  will  give  a  ticket  of  admission  to  all  the 
privileges  of  the  library  and  news-room,  during  their  occa- 
sional visits,  to  any  persons  residing  out  of  Boston,  who  may 
have  made  the  institution  a  valuable  present. 

"  11.  The  Judges  of  the  Supreme  Court,  the  Judges  of  the 
Circuit  and  District  Court,  the  President  and  Professors  of  Har- 
vard College,  the  President  of  the  Academy  of  Arts  and 
Sciences,  and  of  the  Historical  Society,  shall  be  considered  as 
honorary  members  of  this  institution ;  and  the  privileges  allowed 
to  each  member  of  introducing  strangers  shall  be  extended  to 
them, 

"  12.  All  money  arising  from  subscriptions  or  benefactions  of 
persons  willing  to  encourage  this  institution  shall  be  paid  into 
the  hands  of  the  treasurer,  who  shall  be  required  to  lay  before 
the  trustees,  at  their  annual  meeting,  a  regular  account  of  the 
financial  concerns  of  the  institution  to  that  time,  and  as  much 
oftener  as  they  shall  require. 

"  13.  All  books,  which  may  be  presented  or  bequeathed  to 
the  library,  shall  be  immediately  deposited  there  for  the  use  of 


16  HISTORY   OP 

the  subscribers  ;  and  all  donations,  which  may  be  made  in 
books  or  in  money,  shall  be  recorded  in ,  a  book  to  be  kept  by 
the  secretary  for  that  purpose  ;  publication  of  which  shall  be 
made  by  the  trustees  in  some  public  paper,  printed  in  Boston, 
at  such  times  and  in  such  a  manner  as  they  shall  determine. 

"  14.  All  donations,  which  may  be  made  in  money,  shall  be 
appropi'iated  either  to  the  fund  for  the  purchase  of  a  building, 
or  to  the  purchase  of  such  books  as  shall  be  agreeable  to  the 
wishes  of  the  donors,  if  they  choose  to  suggest  them ;  if  not, 
they  shall  be  expended  in  the  purchase  of  such  books  in  the 
foreign  or  learned  languages,  or  in  our  own,  as  shall  be  deemed 
by  the  trustees  to  be  most  expedient  to  promote  the  great 
objects  of  the  institution. 

"  The  following  is  a  list  of  such  periodical  publications  as 
have  been  ordered,  many  of  which  have  been  already  received. 

"  French.  Annales  du  Museum  d'Histoire  Naturelle.  — 
Annales  de  Chimie.  —  Atheneum.  — Magazin  Encyclopedique. 

—  Mercure  de  France.  —  La  Revue.  —  Archive  Litteraire.  — 
Journal  General  de  la  Litterature  de  France. — Journal  General 
de  la  Litterature  Etrangere.  — Journal  Polytechnique.  —  Bulle- 
tin Polymathique  du  Museum  d'Instruction  publique  de  Bordeaux. 

*'  Newspapers.     Moniteur. — Journal  du  Commerce. — Argus. 

—  Journal  Politique  de  Leyde. 

"  English.  Annual  Register.  — New  Annual  Register.  — 
Arthur  Aikin's  Annual  Review.  —  Memoirs  of  Public  Char- 
acters. —  Annals  of  Philosophy.  —  Asiatic  Annual  Register. 

—  British  Critic.  —  Naval   Chronicle.  —  Botanical    Magazine. 

—  Philosophical  Magazine,  by  Tilloch.  —  Journal  of  Natural 
Philosophy,  by  Nicholson.  —  Medical  and  Physical  Journal.  — 
European  Magazine.  —  Gentleman's  Magazine.  —  Monthly 
Magazine.  —  Monthly  Review.  —  Bell's  Belle  Assemblee.  — 
The  Athenroum,  a  new  publication  by  Dr.  Aikin.  —  Edinburgh 
Review.  —  Steel's  Army  and  Navy  List. 

'■^Newspapers.  Porcupine's  Register.  —  Bell's  Weekly  Mes- 
senger. — Morning  Chronicle.  —  Courier. 


THE   BOSTON   ATHEN^UM.  17 

"  American.  Literary  Magazine,  Philadelphia.  —  Assem- 
bly's Missionary  Magazine,  do.  —  Evangelical   Magazine,   do 

—  Coxe's  Medical  Museum,  do.  —  Theatrical  Censor,  do. — 
Port  Folio,  do.  — Carpenter's  Register  and  Review,  New  York. 

—  Medical  Repository,  do. 

"  Newspapers.     Kentucky,  The  Western  World,  Frankfort. 

—  Virginia,  Enquirer,  Richmond. —  South  Carolina,  Charles- 
ton Courier,  Charleston.  —  North  Carolina,  Raleigh  Register, 
Raleigh. —  Cohmibia,  National  Intelligencer,  Washington. — 
Pennsylvania,  Aurora,  Philadelphia.  —  Do.  Philadelphia  Ga- 
zette, do.  —  Do.  United  States  Gazette,  do.  — New  York,  The 
Balance,  Hudson.  —  Do.  Troy  Gazette,  Troy.  —  Do.  Morning 
Chronicle,  New  York.  —  Do.  Spectator,  do.  —  Do.  Herald,  do. 

—  Do.  Watch-Tower,  do.  —  Do.  People's  Friend,  do.  —  Do. 
Weekly  Inspector,  do. 

"  The  Boston  monthly  publications  and  newspapers. 

"  All  the  American  publications  are  received  in  exchange 
for  the  Anthology,  and  of  course  are  no  charge  to  the  subscrib- 
ers. The  net  funds  of  the  Anthology  are  also  to  be  appropri- 
ated to  the  increase  of  the  library. 

"  As  soon  as  arrangements  can  be  made,  a  catalogue  of  the 
library  will  be  published,  with  a  list  of  the  names  of  the  donors 
and  of  the  subscribers  to  the  institution. 

"  The  trustees  will  be  very  grateful  to  booksellers  and  print- 
ers in  any  part  of  the  United  States,  who  will  have  the  good- 
ness to  send  to  them  any  books  or  pamphlets  immediately  on 
their  publication.  Catalogues  of  public  libraries,  of  museums, 
and  botanical  institutions,  literary  projects,  &c.  &c.  are  also 
respectfully  solicited. 

"  Although  great  exertions  have  been  made  to  establish  such 
a  correspondence  in  Europe,  as  will  most  probably  insure  the 
early  and  punctual  transmission  of  all  interesting  publications 
for  the  institution,  yet  considerable  time  must  elapse  before  the 
wishes  of  the  trustees  can  be  completely  gratified.  They 
would  therefore  be  greatly  obliged  to  any  gentleman  for  the 
loan  or  donation  of  any  French  or  English  periodical  publica- 
3 


18  HISTORY   OF 

tions,  till  they  can  be  regularly  obtained  at  the  expense  of  the 
institution. 

"  Any  gentlemen  wishing  to  subscribe  to  the  institution  are 
desired  to  leave  their  names  at  the  Reading-room,  or  at  the 
office  of  W,  S.  Shaw,  in  Scollay's  Buildings. 

"Boston,  Jan.  1,  1807." 

After  this  announcement,  the  Anthology  Trustees,  with 
the  gentlemen  thej  had  associated  with  themselves  above 
named,  petitioned  the  legislatm-e  of  Massachusetts  for  a 
charter,  constituting  them  a  body  politic  and  corporate 
with  the  usual  powers ;  and,  on  the  13th  of  the  succeeding 
February,  an  act  was  passed  to  that  effect,  in  the  following 
terms  : 

"  COMMONWEALTH    OF    MASSACHUSETTS. 
"  In  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  seven. 

"  An  Act  to  incorporate  certain  persons  by  the  name  of  the 
Proprietors  of  the  Boston  Athenseum. 

"  Whereas  the  persons  hereinafter  named,  together  with  sun- 
dry other  persons,  their  associates,  have,  at  a  very  considera- 
ble expense,  collected  a  library,  consisting  of  rare  and  valuable 
books ;  and  whereas  the  laudable  object  of  their  association  is 
to  form,  as  far  as  their  funds  shall  from  time  to  time  admit,  a 
still  more  valuable  and  extensive  collection  of  such  rare  and 
valuable  works,  in  ancient  and  modern  languages,  as  are  not 
usually  to  be  met  with  in  our  country,  but  which  are  deemed 
indispensable  to  those  who  would  perfect  themselves  in  the 
sciences  ;  and  whereas  it  is  the  further  design  of  the  said 
associates,  when  their  funds  shall  admit  thereof,  to  form  a 
museum  of  natural  and  artificial  curiosities  and  productions, 
scientifically  arranged  ;  also  an  apparatus  for  the  performance 
of  experiments  in  the  various  branches  of  natural  philosophy, 
and  for  geographical  improvements,  as  well  as  a  repository  for 


THE   BOSTON   ATHEN^UM.  19 

models  of  new  and  useful  machines,  and  of  statues,  paintings, 
and  other  objects  of  the  fine  arts,  more  especially  of  our  native 
artists ;  for  which  important  objects  no  adequate  provision  has 
hitherto  been  made  or  formed  within  this  Commonwealth, 
although  similar  establishments  have  long  since  partially  ex- 
isted in  many  of  our  sister  States  : 

"  Section  1.  Therefore  he  it  enacted  by  the  Senate  and  House 
of  Representatives,  in  General  Court  assembled,  and  by  the 
authority  of  the  same,  That  Theophilus  Parsons,  John  Davis, 
John  Lowell,  William  Emei'son,  John  T.  Kirkland,  Peter 
Thacher,  William  S.  Shaw,  Robert  Hallowell  Gardiner,  Joseph 
S.  Buckminster,  Obadiah  Rich,  the  present  trustees  of  the  said 
association,  together  with  such  other  person  or  persons  as  shall 
from  time  to  time  be  duly  admitted  members  of  the  said  asso- 
ciation, according  to  the  rules,  orders,  and  conditions  which 
shall  or  may  from  time  to  time  be  established  by  the  by-laws 
or  regulations  of  the  corporation  hereinafter  created,  shall 
for  ever  hereafter  be,  and  they  hereby  are  created,  a  body 
politic  and  corporate,  by  the  name  of  The  Proprietors  of  the 
Boston  Athenaeum  ;  and  by  the  said  name  shall  and  may  sue 
and  be  sued,  plead  and  be  impleaded,  defend  and  be  defended, 
in  all  and  any  court  or  coui'ts  of  law  or  elsewhere  ;  in  all 
manner  of  actions,  suits,  pleas,  or  controversies  whatsoever ; 
and  in  their  said  corporate  capacity,  and  by  their  said  name, 
they  and  their  successors  shall  be  capable  in  law  to  purchase, 
receive,  have,  hold,  take,  possess,  and  enjoy,  in  fee  simple  or 
otherwise,  lands,  tenements,  rents,  and  hereditaments,  not  ex- 
ceeding in  the  whole  the  yearly  value  of  two  thousand  dollars, 
exclusive  of  the  building  or  buildings  which  may  be  actually 
occupied  or  used  for  the  literary  purposes  aforesaid  ;  and  the 
said  corporation  shall  be  capable  of  taking,  receiving,  and 
holding,  by  donation,  subscription,  bequest,  or  otherwise,  money, 
goods,  chattels,  effects,  and  credits  to  an  amount,  the  yearly 
value  of  which  shall  not  exceed  three  thousand  dollars,  so  as 
that  the  estate  aforesaid  be  appropriated  for  the  purposes  afore- 
said,  and   for  the    promotion  of  literature,  of  the   arts   and 


20  mSTOEY   OF 

sciences,  and  not  otherwise ;  and  moreover  the  said  corpora- 
tion shall  have  power  to  give,  grant,  sell,  alien,  convey,  ex- 
change, or  lease  all  or  any  part  of  their  lands,  tenements,  or 
other  property  whatsoever,  for  the  benefit  and  advantage  of 
said  corporation. 

"  Sect.  2.  Be  it  further  enacted,  That  it  shall  and  may  be 
lawful  for  the  said  corporation  to  have  a  common  seal  for  their 
use  and  benefit,  with  full  power  to  alter,  change,  and  renew  it, 
whenever  they  shall  think  the  same  expedient. 

"  Sect.  3.  Be  it  further  enacted,  That  the  said  corporation 
shall  have  full  power  and  authority  to  determine  at  what  times 
and  places  their  meetings  shall  be  holden,  and  on  the  manner 
of  notifying  the  associates  or  proprietors  to  convene  at  such 
meetings  ;  and  they  shall  have  power  to  elect,  once  in  every 
year  or  oftener,  from  amongst  the  said  proprietors,  such  offi- 
cers with  such  powers  as  they  shall  judge  expedient ;  and  also 
further  to  ordain  and  enact  any  by-laws  for  the  due  govern- 
ment of  the  said  corporation,  and  for  the  due  and  orderly  con- 
ducting of  the  affairs  thereof ;  and  for  and  concerning  all  mat- 
ters and  things  relating  to  said  corporation  ;  and  the  same  at 
pleasure  to  alter,  amend,  or  repeal :  Provided  hotcever.  That 
powers  vested  in  their  said  officers  and  the  said  by-laws  shall 
not  be  repugnant  to  the  constitution  and  laws  of  this  Common- 
wealth. 

"  Sect.  4.  Be  it  further  enacted,  That,  for  the  giving  the 
more  effectual  sanction  to  the  said  by-laws,  the  said  proprietors 
shall  have  power  to  impose  suitable  fines,  not  exceeding  five 
dollars,  for  the  non-fulfilment  or  breach  of  the  same  ;  and  that, 
for  the  recovery  thereof,  the  said  corporation  shall  have  a  suit- 
able remedy  by  action  at  law,  in  any  court  of  law  within  this 
Commonwealth  proper  to  try  the  same. 

"  Sect.  5.  Be  it  further  enacted,  That  the  Governor,  the 
Lieutenant-Governor,  the  members  of  the  Council,  of  the  Se- 
nate, and  of  the  House  of  Representatives,  for  the  time  being, 
shall  have  free  access  to  the  library,  museum,  and  repository 
of  the  fine  arts  of  the  said  corporation,  and  may  visit  and  con- 


THE   BOSTON   ATHEN^UM.  21 

suit  the  same  at  all  times,  under  the  same  regulations  as  may- 
be provided  by  the  by-laws  of  said  corporation  for  the  pro- 
prietors thereof. 

"  Sect.  6.  Be  it  further  enacted,  That  the  Legislature  of 
this  Commonwealth  may  from  time  to  time  appoint  a  committee 
or  committees  to  examine  the  state  of  the  affairs  of  said  cor- 
poration, and  the  manner  in  which  the  same  may  be  adminis- 
tered, and  that  the  said  Legislature  may  at  any  time  alter, 
amend,  or  repeal  the  charter  of  said  corporation  at  their  pleas- 
ure ;  reserving  however  to  the  proprietors  for  the  time  being 
their  property  in  the  buildings,  funds,  books,  and  other  property, 
at  such  time  appertaining  to  the  said  corporation. 

"  Sect.  7.  Be  it  further  enacted,  That,  whenever  any  pro- 
prietor shall  neglect  or  refuse  to  pay  any  assessment  duly 
imposed  upon  his  share  or  shares  in  said  corporation  for  the 
space  of  sixty  days  after  the  time  set  for  the  payment  thereof, 
the  treasurer  of  the  said  corporation  is  hereby  authorized  to 
sell  at  public  vendue  the  share  or  shares  of  such  delinquent 
proprietor,  after  duly  notifying,  in  some  newspaper  printed  in 
the  town  of  Boston,  the  sum  due  on  such  share  or  shares,  and 
the  time  and  place  of  sale,  at  least  thirty  days  before  the  time 
of  sale  ;  and  such  sale  shall  be  a  sufficient  transfer  of  the 
share  or  shares  so  sold  to  the  person  purchasing;  and,  upon 
producing  a  certificate  of  such  sale  from  such  treasurer,  such 
purchaser  shall  be  entitled  to  a  transfer  of  the  share  or  shares, 
so  sold,  on  the  books  of  the  corporation  ;  and  shall  be  considered 
to  all  intents  and  purposes  the  proprietor  thereof;  and  the 
overplus  of  such  sale,  if  any  there  be,  after  payment  of  such 
assessment  and  incidental  charges,  shall  be  paid  on  demand  by 
such  treasurer  to  the  person  whose  shares  were  so  sold  as  is 
before  provided. 

"  Sect.  8.  Be  it  further  enacted,  That  the  said  Theophilus 
Parsons,  John  Davis,  John  Lowell,  William  Emerson,  John  T. 
Kirkland,  Peter  Thacher,  William  S.  Shaw,  Robert  H.  Gardi- 
ner, Joseph  S.  Buckminster,  Obadiah  Rich,  or  any  three  of 
them,  shall  have  power  to  call  the  first  meeting  of  the  said  pro- 


22  HISTORY   OF 

prietors,  by  advertising  the  same  three  weeks  successively  be- 
fore the  time  of  such  meeting,  in  sortie  newspaper  printed  in 
the  town  of  Boston  ;  and  that  at  the  said  meeting  the  said  pro- 
prietors may  proceed  to  execute  any  or  all  the  powers  vested 
in  them  in  this  act, 

"  Li  the  House  of  Representatives,  February  12,  1807. 

"  This  bill,  having  had  three  several  readings,  passed  to  be 
enacted.  Perez  Morton,  Speaker. 

"  In  Senate,  Fehruary  12,  1807. 

"  This  bill,  having  had  two  several  readings,  passed  to  be 
enacted.  John  Bacon,  President. 


"  Fehruary  13,  1807. 
"  By  the  Governor  approved. 


"  Caleb  Strong." 


The  original  draft  of  this  act  now  exists,  in  the  hand- 
writing of  John  Lowell,  who  was  distinguished  as  one  of  the 
master  minds  of  the  period,  in  this  vicuiitj,  and  Avhose 
active  and  efficient  labors  are  apparent,  not  only  in  the  his- 
tory of  this  institution,  and  in  that  of  Harvard  College, 
(kindred  interests  to  one  who  loved  and  honored  liberal 
learning,)  but  no  less  in  the  annals  of  agriculture  and 
horticulture,  and  of  the  political  and  theological  events  of 
the  time ;  —  over  all  of  which  no  individual  shed  a  more 
clear  light,  or  exerted  a  more  powerful  influence. 


THE   BOSTON   ATHEN^UM.  23 


CHAPTER  II. 

ORGANIZATION  OF  THE  CORPORATION  UNDER  ITS  CHARTER  —  A  MEMOIR 

ISSUED    OF    THE  HISTORY,  PLAN,  AND  STATE  OF  THE    INSTITUTION 

RESULT    OF     THIS     MEASURE THE     CORPORATION    IN    CONSEQUENCE 

ORGANIZED  ANEW PHILOSOPHICAL  APPARATUS  PURCHASED LIFE 

SHARES    GRANTED    TO    THE    MEMBERS    OF    THE    ANTHOLOGY    CLUB 

EMBARRASSMENTS    ARISING  FROM  PUBLIC    EVENTS CODE    OF    REGU- 
LATIONS ADOPTED A  SITE  FOR  A  BUILDING  PURCHASED  IN  TREMONT 

STREET CATALOGUE    OF    THE  LIBRARY  BEGUN AMOUNT   OF    THE 

PROPERTY    OF    THE    ATHEN^UM    IN    AUGUST,    1811 A    CABINET    OF 

NATURAL     HISTORY     COMMENCED LANGUISHING      STATE      OF      THE 

INSTITUTION     DURING,    AND     AT     THE    CLOSE     OF,     THE    WAR    WITH 
GREAT    BRITAIN. 

The  Corporation  of  the  Boston  Athenseiun  was  organized 
on  the  7th  of  April,  1807,  according  to  the  provisions 
of  its  charter ;  and  its  subsequent  history  will  be  chiefly 
dra-^Ti  from  its  official  papers  and  records.  At  this  first 
meeting,  held  at  the  office  of  ]Mr.  Shaw,  it  was  voted,  that 
the  officers  of  the  Corporation  should  consist  of  a  President, 
Vice-President,  Treasurer,  Secretary,  and  five  Directors,* 
to  continue  in  office  "  until  a  new  election  shall  take  place, 
pursuant  to  the  fundamental  regulations,  which  shall  be  an- 
nexed to  the  terms  of  subscription."  Of  the  officers  then 
chosen  Judge  Da\is  and  Mr.  Lowell  Avere  appointed  a 
committee  to  draw  up  Rules  and  Bj^-Laws,  and  Dr.  Kirkland 
a  committee  to  prepare  "  a  Memoir  in  behalf  of  the  Boston 

*  The  officers  chosen  at  this  first  meeting  of  the  Corporation  were  — 
President,  Theophilus  Parsons.  —  Vice-President,  John  Davis.  —  Treasurer, 
John  Lowell.  —  Secretary,  William  Smith  Shaw.  —  Directors,  William  Emer- 
son, John  Thornton  Kirkland,  Peter  Oxenbridge  Thacher,  Robert  Hallowell 
Gardiner,  Joseph  Stevens  Buckminster. 


24  HISTORY   OF 

Athengeum,  containing  a  plan  for  the  admission  of  mem- 
bers, terms  of  sul3Scriptlon,  the  act  of  incorporation,  &c." 

Dr.  Kirkland  made  a  report  of  his  "Memoir"  at  a  meet- 
ing of  the  Corporation,  holden  at  his  house  on  the  21st  of 
the  same  month ;  which  ha\dng  been  accepted,  Mr.  Lowell, 
Dr.  Kirkland,  and  Mr.  Shaw  were  appointed  a  committee 
to  circulate  it,  and  obtain  subscriptions.  This  document  Is 
so  exact  and  thorough  a  statement  of  the  history,  objects, 
and  condition  of  the  institution  at  that  period,  —  is  so  happy 
an  illustration  of  its  original  design,  and  so  powerful  a  re- 
presentation of  the  advantages  derived  from  similar  institu- 
tions in  other  countries,  and  those  which  might  reasonably 
be  expected  from  the  establishment  and  support  of  one  in 
the  metropohs  of  Massachusetts,  —  that  it  may  well  be  con- 
sidered as  the  basis  on  which  public  favor  and  patronage 
settled  to  give  it  encouragement  and  support.  Notwith- 
standing its  length,  it  constitutes  a  most  important  feature  of 
the  history  of  the  Athenoeum,  and  as  such  requires  to  be 
preserved  without  abridgment,  in  the  form  in  which  it  was 
first  published.  It  was  entitled  "  Memoir  of  the  Boston 
Athenaeum,  with  the  Act  of  Incorporation,  and  Organization 
of  the  Institution  ;  "  and  was  sent  to  every  individual  who 
was  thought  hkely  to  become  a  subscriber,  with  the  follow- 
ing letter  prefixed. 

"  Boston,  May  8th,  1807. 

"  Sir, — The  subscribers,  having  been  appointed  by  the  Proprietors 
of  the  Athenseum  a  Committee  for  the  purpose  of  soliciting  subscrip- 
tions to  that  institution,  beg  leave  to  request  your  attention  to  the 
inclosed  pamphlet,  explaining  the  nature  and  objects  of  their  estab- 
lishment, with  the  terms  of  subscription. 

"  Feeling  a  confidence,  that  these  objects  will  be  thought  worthy 
of  your  patronage,  and  hoping  that  from  public  as  well  as  private 
considerations  you  will  be  induced  to  give  it  your  countenance  and 
support,  they  will  take  the  liberty  in  a  few  days  to  call  upon  you 
with  the  subscription  paper.  John  Lowell. 

John  T.  Kirkland. 
William  S.  Shaw." 


THE   BOSTON   ATHENiEUM,  25 


"BOSTON   ATHEN^UM. 

*'  The  following  Memoir,  concerning  the  history,  objects,  and  present 
state  of  the  Boston  Athenagum,  with  the  terms  and  principles 
on  which  the  rights  and  privileges  of  the  Institution  shall  be  pos- 
sessed and  exercised,  and  with  remarks  on  the  merits  of  the  design, 
is  respectfully  submitted  to  the  friends  of  improvement. 

"  HISTORY,    OBJECTS,    AND    PRESENT    STATE. 

"  For  several  years  individuals  in  this  metropolis  have  express- 
ed their  wishes,  that  there  might  be  established  here  a  public 
Reading-room  ;  to  be  kept  constantly  open,  and  to  contain  all 
the  valuable  journals,  foreign  and  domestic,  periodical  publi- 
cations, books  of  general  reference,  and  other  works  adapted 
to  such  a  place  of  resort.  It  has  been  thought,  that  an  estab- 
lishment of  this  kind,  which  is  very  common  both  in  the  large 
and  small  cities  of  Europe,  would,  if  commenced  here, 
receive  liberal  support,  and  be  regarded  as  auxiliary  to  litera- 
ture and  to  business;  useful  to  the  public,  and  honorable  to 
its  founders  and  patrons.  Having  these  impressions  of  the 
merit  and  popularity  of  the  object,  a  society  of  gentlemen, 
who  conduct  a  literary  publication,*  during  the  last  year  issued 
proposals,  in  which  they  engaged  to  provide  a  room  of  the  fore- 
mentioned  description,  open  at  ten  dollars  annually  to  each 
subscriber.  The  design  was  so  favorably  received,  and  so 
diligently  pursued,  that  the  subscription  list  was  soon  filled  with 
a  large  number  of  respectable  names.  In  consequence  of  this 
success,  and  in  compliance  with  the  wishes  of  many  patrons  of 
the  undertaking,  it  was  determined  to  extend  the  plan  by- 
adding  a  Library  to  the  foundation.  There  was  no  room  to 
doubt,  that  this  addition  might  be  made,  and  still  the  engage- 
ments relative  to  the  Reading-room  be  m.ore  than  executed. 
By  the  time  the  journals  and  periodical  publications  were 
received,  more  than  a  thousand  volumes  of  valuable  works, 

[*  The  Monthly  Anthology.] 


26  HISTORY   OF 

principally  donations,  were  collected  and  annexed  to  the  insti- 
tution. At  this  stage  of  the  undertaking,  the  gentlemen,  who 
had  commenced  and  so  far  conducted  it,  in  order  more  effect- 
ually to  secure  and  diffuse  the  benefit  of  their  past  labor  and 
expense,  and  realize  their  wishes  of  a  respectable  establishment, 
transferred  their  right  and  title  in  the  Anthology  Reading-room 
and  Library  to  certain  persons  denominated  Trustees,  with 
power  to  supply  vacancies  in  their  number,  and  to  hold  and 
manage  said  Reading-room  and  Library,  as  a  trust,  under  their 
then  present  name  ;  or  to  become  a  body  corporate  under  the 
same  or  any  other  name,  as  they  might  deem  expedient.  The 
Trustees  proceeded  to  open  the  rooms  in  such  apartments  and 
with  such  inspection  as  they  could  conveniently  obtain  ;  but 
which  they  have  since  changed  from  Congress-street  to  No.  — , 
Scollay's  buildings,  Tremont-street,  where  the  subscribers  are 
invited,  and  where  they  will  find  a  degree  of  order  and  atten- 
tion, which  the  former  situation  did  not  admit.  At  the  same 
time  they  issued  a  printed  sheet,  containing  regulations  and 
by-laws  for  the  conduct  of  the  institution,  which  remain  in 
force  in  respect  to  annual  subscribers,  and  which  will  undoubt- 
edly be,  in  substance,  adopted  under  the  new  form,  which  the 
establishment  may  assume,  pursuant  to  the  act  of  incorpora- 
tion. 

"  The  Trustees  conceived  it  expedient,  and  immediately  took 
measures,  to  procure  an  act  of  incorporation  for  themselves 
and  their  future  associates.  In  the  act  for  this  purpose,  with  a 
view  to  meet  the  sentiments  and  wishes  of  respectable  persons 
friendly  to  the  general  design,  they  obtained  powers  to  com- 
prehend in  the  establishment  other  objects  relative  to  the 
sciences  and  arts,  to  be  provided  for  in  such  an  extent,  as  may 
consist  with  the  primary  design  of  founding  a  Library  and 
Reading-room.  By  these  means,  when  the  whole  plan  of  the 
institution  shall  be  executed,  it  will  be  subservient,  not  only  to 
the  acquisition,  but  to  the  communication  of  knowledge ; 
answering  the  double  purpose  of  inquiry  and  instruction.  In 
consequence  of  this  enlargement  of  the  plan,  a  name  of  more 


THE   BOSTON   ATHJEXEUM.  27 

extensive  signification,  than  the  former  one,  was  adopted,  and 
the  Trustees,  with  their  associates,  are  made  a  body  corporate 
by  the  title  of  "  The  Proprietors  of  the  Boston  Athenxum." 
The  act  of  incorporation  is  subjoined  to  this  memoir. 

"  The  Proprietors  have  entered  upon  the  execution  of  the 
powers  vested  in  them  by  the  said  act  of  incorporation.  After 
the  choice  of  the  necessary  officers,  tliey  proceeded  to  devise 
methods  for  increasing  the  funds  of  the  corporation,  and 
extending  the  rights  and  privileges,  which  they  had  acquired. 
The  result  of  their  deliberations  is  here  communicated. 

"That  the  nature  and  design  of  the  establishment  may  fully 
appear,  having  offered  a  sketch  of  the  history,  they  will  next 
give  a  particular  account  of  the 

'''•Objects  of  the  AthencBum.  —  The  first  department  of  the 
AthenfEum  is  the  Reading-room,  which  it  is  proposed  to  have 
large  and  commodious.  It  is  to  be  furnished  with  seats,  tables, 
pens,  ink,  and  paper  ;  and  to  contain  all  the  celebrated  gazettes 
published  in  any  part  of  the  United  States,  with  the  most  inter- 
esting literary  and  political  pamphlets  in  Europe  and  America, 
with  magazines,  reviews,  and  scientific  journals  in  the  English, 
French,  and  other  modern  languages,  memoirs  of  learned 
societies,  London  and  Paris  newspapers.  Steel's  Army  and 
Navy  List,  Naval  Chronicle,  London  and  Paris  booksellers' 
Catalogues,  Parliamentary  Debates,  bibliographical  works, 
Journals  of  the  Congress  of  the  United  States,  laws  of  Con- 
gress and  of  the  State  legislatures,  American  state-papers, 
maps,  charts,  the  latest  voyages  and  travels,  and  the  inter- 
esting publications  of  the  day,  as  they  appear.  The  gazettes, 
magazines,  and  pamphlets,  journals,  state-papers,  &c.  to  be 
bound  in  volumes,  and  carefully  preserved  for  the  use  of  the 
institution. 

"  The  next  branch  of  the  Athenaeum  is  the  Library,  designed 
to  contain,  in  a  separate  apartment,  the  works  of  learning 
and  science  in  all  languages  ;  particularly  such  rare  and  expen- 
sive publications,  as  are  not  generally  to  be  obtained  in  this 
country;   the   most  valuable  encyclopaedias  of  the   arts   and 


28  HISTORY    OF 

sciences  in  the  English  and  French  languages  ;  standard  dic- 
tionaries of  the  learned  and  principal  fnodern  languages  ;  also 
dictionaries,  critical  and  biographical ;  books  of  general  refer- 
ence, useful  to  the  merchant  and  the  scholar ;  and  finally,  the 
works  of  all  the  best  authors,  ancient  and  modern. 

"  These  apartments  are  to  be  open  during  every  week-day  and 
evening.  None  of  the  papers  or  periodical  works  are  to  be 
taken  from  the  rooms,  except  in  the  case  of  the  indisposition  of 
any  proprietor  or  subscriber,  who  may  have  the  use  of  the 
newspapers  at  his  house,  at  some  convenient  time  after  their 
arrival,  under  such  regulations,  as  shall  be  prescribed.  Dupli- 
cates are  to  be  provided  of  all  those  books  permitted  to  circu- 
late, it  being  intended  that  one  copy  of  every  work  belonging 
to  the  Library  shall  always  remain  in  it  ;  so  that  the  proprie- 
tors and  visitors  of  the  Athenceum  may  be  certain  at  all  times 
of  finding  any  work,  which  they  may  have  occasion  to  read  or 
consult. 

"  The  Reading-room  and  Library  being  considered  leading 
objects  and  chief  departments  of  the  Athenaeum,  it  is  proposed, 
as  far  as  can  be  done  without  detriment  to  them,  to  join  to  the 
foundation  a  Museum  or  Cabinet,  which  shall  contain  speci- 
mens from  the  three  kingdoms  of  nature,  scientifically 
arranged ;  natural  and  artificial  curiosities,  antiques,  coins, 
medals,  vases,  gems,  and  intaglios  ;  also,  in  the  same  or  a 
different  apartment,  a  Repository  of  Arts,  in  which  shall  be 
placed  for  inspection  models  of  new  and  useful  machines ; 
likewise  drawings,  designs,  paintings,  engravings,  statues,  and 
other  objects  of  the  fine  arts,  and  especially  the  productions  of 
our  native  artists. 

"  Lastly,  the  plan  of  the  Athenreum  includes  a  Laboratory, 
and  an  Apparatus  for  experiments  in  chemistry  and  natural 
philosophy,  for  astronomical  observations,  and  geographical 
improvements,  to  be  used  under  the  direction  of  the  corpo- 
ration. 

"  The  history  of  this  establishment,  and  a  description  of  its 
objects  being  given,  it  is  proper  to  exhibit 


THE   BOSTON  ATHEN^UM.  29 

"  The  Means,  Resources,  and  Present  State  of  the  AthencBum. 
—  The  Reading-room  is  largely  supplied  with  the  works  men- 
tioned above,  and  is  receiving  daily  additions.  A  list  of  some 
of  the  publications  ordered,  and  chiefly  obtained,  may  be  seen 
at  the  end. 

"  The  Library  already  contains  many  interesting  and  impor- 
tant works.     The  number   of  volumes    is    more  than  twelve 
hundred,  and  is  continually  increasing  by  donations  and  de 
posits,  as  well  as  by  purchase.     There  is  reason  to  believe 
that,  when   the   apartments  shall  be  sufficiently  capacious  to 
admit  them,  one  or  more  of  the  libraries,  belonging  to  particu 
lar  societies  or  individuals,  will  be  annexed  to  the  Athenasum 
or  be  placed  on  the  shelves  of  its  Library. 

"  The  means  and  resources,  now  possessed  by  this  institution 
are  :  — 

"  1.  The  annual  subscription  ;  there  being  one  hundred  and 
sixty  subscribers,  at  ten  dollars  a  year. 

"  2.  The  American  papers  and  publications,  with  seve- 
ral periodical  publications  from  abroad,  are  furnished  by 
the  proprietors  of  the  Monthly  Anthology  free  of  expense  ; 
and  the  net  funds  of  the  same  work  are  appropriated  to 
the  support  and  increase  of  the  Reading-room  and  Library. 

"  3.  An  apparatus  of  value,  belonging  to  a  Society  for  the 
study  of  natural  philosophy,  is  offered  to  be  incorporated  with 
the  Athenaeum  on  favorable  conditions ;  so  that  this  part  of  the 
establishment  cannot,  at  present,  require  any  considerable 
expense. 

"  4.  It  is  well  to  observe,  that,  as  the  institution  shall  advance 
in  importance  and  celebrity,  donations  and  legacies  may  be 
expected  to  prove  a  source  of  continual  additions  to  the  vari- 
ous departments  of  the  Athenaeum. 

"  To  those,  who  consider  this  account  of  the  history,  ohjects, 
and  present  state  of  the  institution,  it  will  readily  occur,  that 
an  essential  requisite  to  its  enlargement  and  prosperity  is  a 
suitable  building  in  a  central  part  of  the  town.  It  will  also 
occur,  that  the  present  proprietors  are  bound  to  extend  the 


30  HISTORY   OF 

rights,  powei-s,  and  privileges  of  proprietors  of  the  Athenaeum 
to  others  on  proper  conditions.  With  a  view,  therefore,  to 
diffuse  and  perpetuate  the  benefits  and  enjoyments  of  this 
estabUshment,  and  to  raise  the  necessary  funds  for  a  build- 
ing and  other  purposes,  relative  to  the  general  object,  the 
present  proprietors  offer  the  plan  and  terms  of  subscrip- 
tion to  the  Boston  Athenceum,  which  are  annexed  to  this 
memoir. 

"  The  objects,  the  situation,  the  resources  and  prospects  of 
this  institution  being  described,  and  the  terms  of  admission  to 
an  interest  and  power  in  it  proposed,  the  subject  might  here 
be  left,  without  further  comment,  to  the  consideration  of  the 
enlightened  and  liberal,  in  the  confidence  that  all  the  induce- 
ments, public  and  private,  to  espouse  the  establishment,  will 
have  their  just  operation.  But  though  it  may  not  be  necessary, 
yet  it  may  be  useful,  and  tend  to  prevent  misconception  and 
remove  doubt,  to  show  the  merits  of  the  design,  and  to  justify 
the  method  devised  for  carrying  it  into  effect. 

"  In  the  apprehension  of  those,  who  invite  the  public  atten- 
tion to  the  subject,  this  institution  deserves  approbation  and 
support,  as  productive  of  utility  and  enjoyment ;  as  ornamental 
to  the  metropolis,  and  honorable  to  its  patrons.  They  also 
conceive,  that  it  is  proposed  at  a  suitable  time  ;  and  that  it 
involves  no  extravagant  demand  upon  the  pecuniary  resources, 
from  which  the  necessary  funds  are  expected. 

"  The  Athenajum  may  be  recommended  as  a  place  of  social 
intercourse.  But  it  will  principally  be  useful  as  a  source  of 
information,  and  a  means  of  intellectual  improvement  and 
pleasure.  It  is  to  be  a  fountain,  at  which  all,  who  choose, 
may  gratify  their  thirst  for  knowledge. 

"  The  value  of  learning,  whatever  incidental  evils  it  may  pro- 
duce, is  admitted  by  all  who  are  qualified  to  judge  upon  the 
subject.  Besides  the  dignity  and  satisfaction  associated  with 
the  cultivation  of  letters  and  arts,  and  which  constitute  their 
worth  to  the  individual,  they  have  unlimited  uses  in  respect  to 
the   community.     Speculative   and   practical  philosophy,  his- 


THE   BOSTON   ATHEN^UM.  31 

tory,  polite  literature,  and  the  arts,  bear  an  important  relation 
to  all  the  conveniences  and  elegancies  of  life,  to  all  the  good 
institutions  of  society,  and  to  all  the  great  interests  of  man, 
viewed  as  a  rational  and  social,  a  moral  and  religious  being. 
Not  only,  however,  should  those  deep  investigations  of  science 
and  exquisite  refinements  of  taste,  which  are  necessarily  con- 
fined to  a  few,  be  held  in  respect,  as  connected  with  the  gene- 
ral welfare  ;  but  that  love  of  intellectual  improvement  and 
pleasure,  and  that  propensity  to  reading  and  inquiry,  which 
are  capable  of  being  diffused  through  considerable  portions  of 
the  community,  should  be  regarded  with  interest  and  promoted 
with  zeal  among  a  civilized  and  flourishing  people.  They 
belong  to  the  regular  progress  of  society.  A  nation,  that 
increases  in  wealth,  without  any  corresponding  increase  in 
knowledge  and  refinement,  in  letters  and  arts,  neglects  the 
proper  and  respectable  uses  of  prosperity.  A  love  of  intellect- 
ual improvement,  and  of  the  various  objects  of  literature  and 
taste,  in  a  state  or  society  enjoying  freedom  and  affluence,  is 
to  be  coveted  and  maintained,  because  it  produces  the  best 
exercise  and  application  of  the  faculties ;  because  it  strength- 
ens and  multiplies  the  ties,  that  bind  men  together  ;  because  it 
enhances  the  value  and  satisfaction  of  social  intercourse  by 
supplying  worthy  and  interesting  topics  of  conversation ; 
because  it  heightens  the  enjoyment  of  all  the  blessings  of  life, 
and  enables  us  to  derive  advantage  and  pleasure  from  a  multi- 
tude of  new  sources  ;  because,  on  the  whole,  it  tends  to  the 
removal  of  error  and  the  discovery  of  truth,  and  has  a 
friendly  aspect  upon  the  interests  of  virtue  and  religion. 

"  When  we  admit  the  dignity  and  use  of  the  science  of  the 
learned,  the  taste  of  the  refined,  and  the  improved  and  culti- 
vated character  of  the  citizens  at  large,  we  must  also  admit 
that  these  objects  require  a  fostering  care,  and  will  not  be 
obtained  without  adequate  means  and  incentives.  That  the 
institution  here  proposed,  if  well  begun  and  liberally  sup- 
ported, must  prove  in  a  high  degree  auxiliary  to  these  purposes, 
will  not,  it  is  presumed,  be  called  in  question. 


32  HISTORY   OF 

"  The  Athensoum  will  contain  a  variety,  adapted  to  the  diver- 
sity of  the  dispositions,  views,  and  characters  of  its  patrons  and 
visiters. 

"  Every  class  of  readers  must  derive  profit  and  pleasure  from 
a  constant  access  to  the  foreign  and  domestic  journals,  and 
the  periodical  publications  and  pamphlets  of  the  day.  They 
must  resort  with  great  advantage  to  a  place  in  which  will  be 
found  the  latest  political  and  commercial  intelligence,  accounts 
of  the  state  of  literature,  arts,  and  discoveries,  the  controver- 
sies and  discussions  that  successively  prevail,  and  those  fugi- 
tive pieces  and  small  tracts,  which  it  is  difficult  or  impossible 
for  any  individual  to  collect,  but  which  are  necessary  to  satisfy 
our  curiosity,  or  complete  our  information,  concerning  the  opin- 
ions, events,  learning,  politics,  and  manners  of  the  times  in 
which  we  live.  In  proportion  as  this  department  of  the  Li- 
brary and  Reading-room  shall  be  replenished  by  the  accumu- 
lations of  successive  years,  its  value  will  be  enhanced ;  and  it 
will  descend  to  posterity  a  rich  and  increasing  treasure. 

"  By  resorting  to  the  Athenseum  the  man  of  business  will 
have  the  means  of  intellectual  activity  and  enjoyment,  without 
any  injurious  interruption  of  his  ordinary  pursuits,  or  "  the 
more  urgent  concerns  of  life  "  ;  and  the  man  of  leisure  will 
find  ample  means  of  rational  and  interesting  occupation. 

"  The  inquisitive  merchant  must  prize  the  opportunity  of 
being  able  to  consult  a  large  collection  of  those  works,  which 
relate  to  commerce ;  as  well  as  find  an  accommodation  in  the 
early  and  exact  commercial  intelligence  from  various  and 
opposite  regions  of  the  globe,  which  the  papers  and  documents 
in  the  Reading-room  will  generally  furnish. 

"  The  researches  of  those,  who  attend  to  the  constitution  of 
society,  the  form  and  administration  of  governments,  politics, 
and  finance,  must  be  greatly  facilitated  by  the  assemblage,  in 
one  place,  of  the  best  and  newest  treatises  upon  these  subjects 
of  inquiry,  of  statistical  tables  and  works,  and  state-papers. 

"  The  historian,  and  the  reader  of  history,  will  here  be  able 
to  perfect  their  information  by  a  recourse  to  standard  works  of 


THE   BOSTON  ATHEN^UM.  33 

general  and  particular  history  ;  and  especially  such  as  relate 
to  our  own  country.  It  is  intended,  that  this  institution  shall 
cooperate  with  others,  appropriated  to  this  object,  by  procur- 
ing, as  soon  as  circumstances  admit,  every  tract,  book,  and 
journal,  serving  to  illustrate  the  civil  and  natural,  the  literary 
and  ecclesiastical  history  of  America,  and  more  particularly 
of  the  United  States. 

"  Gentlemen  of  each  of  the  learned  professions  must  derive 
important  assistance,  in  their  respective  pursuits,  from  the  lib- 
erty of  consulting  both  those  fugitive  and  periodical  publica- 
tions, which  may  exhibit  the  history  and  state  of  their  respec- 
tive professions,  and  the  sciences  and  arts  on  which  they  are 
founded,  at  successive  periods  ;  and  also  those  large,  valuable, 
and  expensive  works,  which  it  may  be  inconvenient  to  most 
individuals  to  purchase. 

"  To  men  of  letters,  and  studious  inquirers  in  general,  this 
establishment  will  offer  facilities  in  study,  hitherto  not  enjoyed  ; 
but  highly  desirable  and  even  necessary.  In  this  country 
nothing  can  exceed  the  inconvenience,  arising  from  the  want 
of  large  libraries,  to  those  persons  who  aim  at  superior  attain- 
ments and  accurate  researches.  This  is  one  of  the  circum- 
stances, which  account  for  the  small  number  of  finished 
scholars  and  finished  works,  of  which  we  have  to  boast.  As 
much  time,  as  is  necessary  for  reading  a  particular  book,  is 
often  consumed  in  attempts  to  discover  or  obtain  it  ;  and  fre- 
quently, after  every  inquiry,  the  book  wanted  cannot  be  pro- 
cured. Those  who,  not  content  with  superficial  knowledge, 
would  arrive  at  exactness  in  any  subjects  of  science,  history, 
or  taste,  either  give  over  their  pursuit,  because  destitute  of  the 
assistance,  which  the  learned  in  the  same  walk  have  furnished, 
or  continue  it  under  the  disadvantage  of  their  ignorance  of 
what  has  been  done  by  their  predecessors.  Hence  they  are 
liable  to  be  occupied  in  "  solving  difficulties,  which  have 
already  been  cleared  ;  discussing  questions,  which  have  already 
been  decided  ;  and  digging  in  mines  of  literature,  which  for- 
mer ages  have  exhausted."     If  the  uses  of  this  institution  were 


34  HISTORY    OF 

more  immediately  confined,  than  they  are,  to  literary  men,  or 
to  those  who  wish  to  perfect  themselves  in  sciences  and  lite- 
rature, it  would  be  worthy  of  the  munificent  spirit  of  our  opu- 
lent citizens  to  give  effect  to  a  plan  for  affording  to  persons, 
ambitious  of  superior  acquisitions,  the  means  of  extensive 
knowledge,  and  the  gratification  of  an  adequate  supply  of 
books. 

"  The  good  effects,  which  this  establishment  may  have  respect- 
ing young  persons,  deserve  particular  attention.  Where  they 
are  of  proper  age  and  deportment,  they  will  have  access  to 
the  rooms  of  the  Athenreum  on  the  same  terms  as  others.  The 
attractions  of  the  place  will  induce  many  of  them  to  pass  that 
time  in  useful  reading,  which  is  now  wasted  or  misapplied. 
Their  resort  to  this  fund  of  instruction  and  entertainment  will 
tend  to  inspire  them  with  laudable  curiosity.  It  will  serve  to 
withdraw  them  from  gross  relaxations  and  hurtful  pleasures, 
by  the  desire  of  enlarging  their  minds  and  improving  their 
taste.  Parents,  who  consider  the  temptations  surrounding 
young  men,  and  the  connection  between  employment  and 
innocence,  will  not  regard  this  use  of  the  Athenaeum  with 
indifference. 

"  The  ladies  have  at  least  an  indirect  interest  in  this  design. 
Whatever  raises  the  character  of  men  has  a  favorable  influ- 
ence upon  that  of  the  other  sex.  Undoubtedly  when  the  citi- 
zens are  sensible  and  well-informed,  the  intercourse  of  the 
sexes  is  proportionably  more  rational  and  agreeable.  But,  if 
the  progress  of  the  institution  shall  be  equal  to  the  wishes  and 
expectations  of  its  friends,  it  will  include  a  plan  of  instruction 
by  lectures,  on  which  the  ladies  will  be  invited  to  attend.  By 
their  admission  to  this  privilege,  as  well  as  by  the  use  of  the 
circulating  books  of  the  library,  and  the  right  of  access  to  the 
other  apartments,  they  will  have  more  than  an  indirect  share 
in  the  advantages  of  the  Athenseum. 

"  To  these  different  classes  of  persons,  in  the  several  ways 
described,  this  institution,  and  particularly  the  Library  and 
Reading-room,   will   be   useful.      To   the   same   persons,   to 


THE   BOSTON   ATHENiEUM.  35 

Others,  and  to  the  public,  must  the  subordinate  branches  of  the 
Athenseum  prove  beneficial.  The  Repository  of  Models  is 
adapted  to  promote  the  speedy  and  general  knowledge  of  new 
and  useful  improvements,  relating  to  the  necessary  arts  and 
trades,  and  will  be  resorted  to  by  artisans  with  particular  ad- 
vantage. 

"  It  is  well  known,  that  a  taste  in  the  fine  and  pleasing  arts 
cannot  be  formed,  without  specimens  to  serve  for  example  and 
illustration.  By  a  Repository  for  productions  in  these  arts,  we 
shall  provide  for  the  improvement  and  emulation  of  artists,  and 
for  the  correction  and  refinement  of  taste  in  those,  who  aim  to 
be  connoisseurs,  and  able  to  bestow  praise  and  censure  with 
discrimination.  It  concerns  the  public  interest,  as  well  as 
honor,  that  the  higher  classes  of  society,  and  possessors  of 
superfluous  wealth,  should  prefer  elegant  and  innoxious  luxuries 
to  those  of  a  different  character  ;  and  should  be  patrons  and 
judges  of  what  is  excellent  in  the  fine  and  liberal  arts. 

"  The  Museum,  by  its  collection  of  natural  objects,  scientifi- 
cally arranged,  will  both  excite  and  gratify  that  disposition  to 
study  nature,  which  is  always  safe  and  sometimes  profitable 
and  important,  by  means  of  the  discoveries  and  improvements 
to  which  it  leads.  This  department  of  the  institution  will  pre- 
serve, for  constant  inspection,  a  multitude  of  productions,  nat- 
ural and  artificial,  either  curious  or  useful,  brought  fi'om  dif- 
ferent countries,  which  are  not  now  obtained  ;  or,  being  ob- 
tained, are  lost  through  want  of  a  proper  receptacle,  in  which 
they  may  be  placed. 

"  The  Lahoratory  and  Apparatus  may  be  used,  when  it  shall 
be  found  practicable,  for  the  purpose  of  lectures  on  chemistry, 
natural  philosophy,  and  astronomy.  The  usefulness  of  a 
course  of  popular  instruction  upon  these  and  other  related  sub- 
jects, calculated  to  interest  the  young  of  both  sexes,  and  to 
diffuse  as  well  as  extend  the  knowledge  of  the  laws  and  oper- 
ations of  nature,  need  not  be  displayed. 

"  In  these  respects  it  is  conceived  the  proposed  institution 
will  be  productive  of  utility. 


36  HISTORY   OP 

"  If  it  is  viewed,  in  the  next  place,  as  a  source  of  rational 
enjoyment,  it  will  a  >]  ear  to  merit  the  support  it  requires.  It 
is  obvious  to  all,  who  attend  to  human  nature,  or  the  history  of 
human  society,  and  it  is  verified  by  observing  the  state  of 
manners  in  our  own  country,  that  affluence  and  prosperity  are 
ever  attended  by  a  correspondent  passion  for  amusement  and 
pleasure  in  their  diversified  forms.  It  is  equally  obvious,  that 
whatever  serves  to  correct  and  regulate  this  passion  is  an  ad- 
ditional security  to  public  and  private  morals.  In  this  view 
it  must  be  acknowledged  important,  not  only  to  check  that  dis- 
sipation which  enervates  and  depraves,  but  also  to  moderate 
and  qualify  a  propensity  to  what  are  deemed  less  exceptionable 
modes  of  pleasure,  —  to  show  and  equipage,  convivial  enter- 
tainments, festive  assemblies,  and  theatrical  exhibitions.  One 
efl^ectual  method  of  accomplishing  this  purpose  is  to  promote  a 
relish  for  the  pleasures  of  knowledge,  and  a  taste  for  liberal 
pursuits  and  studies.  The  satisfactions,  flowing  from  these 
sources,  tend  to  strengthen,  not  debilitate,  the  mind ;  to  sub- 
due, not  inflame,  the  passions.  They  are  friendly  to  cheerful- 
ness and  the  social  virtues,  and  serve  to  disengage  the  feelings 
from  ignoble  gratifications.  In  these  respects  therefore,  as 
tending  to  substitute  mental  occupation  for  sensual  indulgence, 
and  to  create  a  fund  of  rational  and  salutary  enjoyments  in  a 
place  and  state  of  society,  where  the  love  of  pleasure  and  the 
means  of  it  are  continually  augmenting,  and  where  expense  is 
not  grudged  to  amusements  of  a  different  nature,  it  is  presumed 
this  institution  will  be  thought  to  deserve  the  countenance  of 
the  wise  and  patriotic. 

"  It  will  not  be  pretended,  that  the  use  and  necessity  of  this 
institution,  for  the  purposes  described,  are  superseded  by  any 
establishments  already  existing  in  the  town  ;  however  valuable 
they  may  be  in  themselves,  or  adapted  to  their  particular 
objects.  All  the  departments  of  the  Athenaeum,  excepting 
the  Library,  are  new,  and  not  included  in  the  plan  of  any  other 
public  establishment  ;  and  the  Library  is  constituted  upon 
principles  and  with  regulations,  by  means  of  which  it  does  not 


THE    BOSTON  ATHEN^UM.  S7 

interfere  with  the  interest  of  any  other  in  operation,  and  at  the 
same  time  is  fitted  to  answer  the  exigencies  of  science  and 
literature.  Besides,  when  the  building  for  the  Athen^um 
shall  be  erected,  other  libraries,  if  their  proprietors  choose, 
may  be  united  with  this,  or  placed  on  its  shelves,  and  thus  be 
rendered  more  secure,  more  accessible  and  useful,  than  their 
present  situations  admit. 

"  It  was  observed,  that  this  institution  will  be  ornamental  to 
the  metropolis.  In  the  form  of  the  building,  the  distribution 
of  the  rooms,  and  the  selection  and  arrangement  of  the  vari- 
ous objects  they  will  contain,  neatness  and  elegance  will  be 
consulted  along  with  convenience. 

"  This  establishment,  it  was  said,  will  confer  honor  on  its 
patrons.  For  it  must  be  acknowledged  honorable  to  apply 
wealth  to  some  of  its  noblest  uses  ;  to  join  to  a  spirit  of  com- 
mercial enterprise  a  just  estimate  of  the  value  of  letters  and 
arts ;  and  to  lay  a  permanent  foundation  for  their  cultivation 
and  advancement  through  successive  periods. 

"  The  example  and  success  of  the  more  wealthy  inhabitants 
of  other  cities  at  home  and  abroad,  in  originating  and  con- 
ducting similar  undertakings,  are  worthy  of  attention,  as  cal- 
culated both  to  guide  and  to  stimulate  our  liberality. 

"  The  Atheneeum  of  Liverpool  has  been  visited  with  delight 
and  admiration  by  numbers  of  our  countrymen ;  and  it  is  but 
one  of  several  institutions  of  a  like  nature  in  that  city.  It 
includes  a  public  news-room  of  a  superior  kind,  occupying  the 
ground  floor  of  2000  square  feet ;  and  a  library,  of  a  narrower 
base,  but  greater  elevation,  lying  over  the  first,  and  lighted 
from  above.  It  was  begun  in  January,  1798,  for  three  hun- 
dred and  fifty  subscribers,  who  were  to  pay  ten  guineas  each, 
as  a  capital,  and  two  guineas  annually.  The  whole  was  com- 
pleted for  4000Z.  sterling.  After  six  months,  it  being  found 
sufficient  for  the  accommodation  of  a  larger  number,  seventy- 
five  new  subscribers  were  admitted  at  twenty  guineas  each. 
At  the  end  of  a  year,  seventy-five  more,  at  thirty  guineas  each, 
were  admitted ;  and  the  shares  immediately  rose  to  thirty-five 


38  HISTORY   OF 

and  forty  guineas.  Thus  a  large  sum  was  added  to  the  cap- 
ital of  the  institution  ;  and  the  income,  destined  to  the  in- 
crease and  support  of  the  Library,  was  at  that  time  esti- 
mated at  four  hundred  guineas  annually. 

"  The  city  of  London  is  known  to  have  abounded  for  ages 
with  foundations  for  the  sciences,  literature,  and  arts.  Two 
have  within  a  few  years  been  added  to  those  before  existing, 
and  supported  with  a  liberality,  which  we  cannot  indeed  be 
expected  to  rival,  but  which  we  may  properly  imitate,  accord- 
ing to  our  exigencies  and  means.  One  of  these  is  the  Royal 
Institution,  commenced  under  the  auspices  of  our  countryman, 
Count  Rumford,  designed  for  "  diffusing  the  knowledge  and 
facilitating  the  introduction  of  useful  mechanical  inventions 
and  improvements ;  and  for  teaching,  by  courses  of  philosophi- 
cal lectures  and  experiments,  the  application  of  science  to  the 
common  purposes  of  life."  Another  is  the  London  Institution, 
having  three  objects  ;  —  "  1.  The  acquisition  of  a  valuable  and 
extensive  library.  2.  The  diffusion  of  useful  knowledge  by 
means  of  lectures  and  experiments.  3.  The  establishment  of 
a  reading-room,  where  the  foreign  and  domestic  journals  and 
other  periodical  works,  and  the  best  pamphlets  and  new  pub- 
lications, are  provided  for  the  use  of  the  proprietors  and  sub- 
scribers." The  persons,  having  the  benefit  of  these  institu- 
tions are  classed  much  in  the  manner  proposed  in  the  Boston 
Athenaeum,  consisling  of  hereditary  proprietors,  life  subscrib- 
ers, annual  subscribers,  and  occasional  visiters.  Within  a  few 
hours  after  the  proposals  for  the  London  Institution  were 
issued,  all  the  shares  were  taken  to  the  amount  of  100,000Z. 
sterling. 

"  Establishments,  similar  to  these,  but  upon  a  smaller  scale, 
are  found  in  other  cities  of  Great  Britain,  probably  inferior 
in  opulence  and  population  to  this  metropolis  ;  and  they  are 
provided  in  the  populous  places  of  other  countries  in  Europe. 

"  If  we  look  to  the  principal  towns  and  cities  in  our  own 
country,  though  in  general  liberality,  and  in  some  instances,  in 
disbursements  for  objects  of  science  and  the  interests  of  educa- 


THE   BOSTON   ATHEN^UM.  39 

tion,  we  may  court  a  comparison,  yet,  in  this  mode  of  patron- 
izing literature,  we  find  them  before  us.  The  Charleston 
Library  Society,  incorporated  in  1754,  has  made  very  respect- 
able progress  in  collecting  books.  The  rooms  are  open  during 
the  principal  part  of  every  day,  and  afford  a  place  of  resort 
for  reading  and  conversation.  The  merchants  and  scholars 
of  Baltimore  have  recently  provided  themselves  with  an  ample 
institution  of  the  same  kind.  The  library  of  the  Philadelphia 
Library  Company  is  well  known.  It  was  founded  in  1731. 
Before  the  year  1769  other  social  libraries,  which  had  been 
erected,  were  annexed  to  this.  In  late  years  it  has  been  much 
augmented  by  donations  and  purchases ;  and  is  advancing  to 
great  splendor  and  utility.  In  the  same  city  an  institution,  for 
the  fine  arts  alone,  has  been  commenced  with  an  endowment 
nearly  as  large,  as  would  be  necessary  to  put  the  more  exten- 
sive design  here  proposed,  into  operation. 

"  In  the  city  of  New  York  much  has  recently  been  done  for 
the  promotion  of  these  objects, 

"  The  cultivated  character  and  the  liberal  spirit  of  the  Bos- 
tonians  have  been  subjects  of  encomium.  It  is  probable,  that 
the  countenance,  afforded  to  this  proposal,  will  furnish  a  new 
instance  to  justify  their  claim  to  this  praise. 

"  This  institution,  it  was  said,  is  proposed  at  a  suitable  time. 
It  bears  a  correspondence  to  the  advancement  of  society  and 
the  state  of  the  metropolis.  Boston  now  contains  a  sufficient 
number  of  those  who  need,  or  who  can  enjoy  and  improve, 
the  advantages  and  pleasures  of  the  Athenseum.  There  is  a 
prevailing  opinion,  that  objects  of  this  kind  should  now  engage 
attention.  As  a  long  course  of  time  will  be  necessary,  for  the 
maturity  and  perfection  of  the  design,  it  is  certainly  not  too 
soon  to  begin.  Whatever  be  the  embarrassments  and  hazards 
attending  the  prosecution  of  our  commerce,  it  is  notwithstand- 
ing highly  productive,  and  the  class  of  persons  enjoying  easy 
circumstances,  and  possessing  surplus  wealth,  is  comparatively 
numerous.  As  we  are  not  called  upon  for  large  contributions 
to  national  purposes,  we  shall  do  well  to  take  advantage  of  the 


40  HISTORY   OF 

exemption,  by  taxing  ourselves  for  those  institutions,  which 
will  be  attended  with  lasting  and  extensive  benefit,  amidst  all 
changes  of  our  public  fortunes  and  political  affairs. 

"  Finally  it  was  said,  that  the  proposal  of  this  institution  in- 
volves no  extravagant  demand  upon  the  pecuniary  resources  of 
those,  to  whom  it  looks  for  support ;  and  may  be  considered 
entirely  practicable.  Although  it  is  projected  upon  a  broad 
foundation,  which  will  admit  the  expenditure  of  an  indefi- 
nite sum,  yet  it  may  be  commenced  and  prosecuted  with 
limited  means.  The  only  requisite  to  its  operation  is  a 
suitable  building.  This  being  provided,  the  income  from 
annual  subscribers  and  occasional  visiters,*  with  donations,  will 
probably  be  sufficient  to  secure  its  support  and  increase,  if  it 
will  not  give  it  splendor.  But  more  than  this  may  reasonably  be 
wished  and  hoped.  Not  to  mention  what  may  be  expected 
from  life  subscribers,  it  is  only  necessary,  that  one  hundred  and 
fifty  persons  shall  be  willing  to  vest  in  the  Athenaeum  a  sum  for 
a  capital,  the  interest  of  which  is  Utile  more  than  the  price  of 
four  half- weekly,  and  less  than  that  of  two  daily  papers,  in  order 
to  raise  a  fund,  which  will  put  the  institution  in  a  very  prosper- 
ous course  ;  and  which,  besides  procuring  the  bulldmg,  will 
leave  a  considerable  sum  to  be  funded  for  annual  use.  By  pay- 
ing these  three  hundred  dollars  once,  they  will,  without  being 
subject  to  any  subsequent  expense,  secure  to  themselves,  their 
assigns,  and  heirs,  a  right  in  an  establishment,  which  is  begun 
under  favorable  prospects,  and  which  must  of  course  be  acquir- 
ing additional  value  and  importance  every  day.  Under  these 
circumstances,  it  may  be  said,  without  hesitation,  that,  whilst 
the  subscribers  for  shares  in  the  Athenceum  will  have  the  satis- 
faction of  being  the  patrons  of  an  excellent  design,  they  will, 
at  the  same  time,  be  exposed  to  no  sacrifice  of  property.  For 
the  shares  being  limited  in  number,  subject  to  no  assessment, 


*  The  words  "and  occasional  visiters  "  were  omitted  in  this  document,  as 
printed  simultaneously  in  ihc  Monthly  Anthology  (for  May,  1807,)  nor  were 
such  visiters  ever  meide  a  source  of  income. 


THE  BOSTON  ATHEN^UJI.  41 

and  liable  to  be  transferred  and  inherited,  will  always  retain 
their  value,  and  probably  appreciate.  The  result  of  experi- 
ence in  similar  institutions  in  Europe,  commenced  under  no 
greater  advantages  than  belong  to  the  Athenaeum,  is  entirely 
in  favor  of  this  calculation. 

"  The  following  is  a  list  of  such  periodical  publications,  as  have 
been  ordered  ;  all  of  which  are  regularly  received  at  the  Athenaeum, 
excepting  some  of  the  French,  which  are  daily  expected.  Through 
the  politeness  of  Mr.  W.  S.  Skinner  of  this  town,  merchant,  the 
Directors  have  established  such  a  correspondence  with  the  house  of 
Messrs.  Jenner  &  Co.,  London,  as  insures  the  early  and  punctual 
transmission  of  all  the  English  publications.  They  have  already 
received  them  as  late  as  the  17th  March,  1807.  The  Directors  avail 
themselves  of  this  opportunity  to  acknowledge  their  grateful  sense  of 
the  fidelity,  with  which  their  commissions  have  been  executed  by 
those  gentlemen. 

[Then  follows,  with  slight  additions,  the  list  of  publications  inserted 
above  ;  *  nest,  the  Act  of  Incorporation  ;  t  then  a  copy  of  the  record  of  the 
meeting  of  May  7  th,  setting  forth  the  organization  of  the  institution,  and  a  list 
of  the  officers  chosen,  t] 

"  The  above-mentioned  officers  and  proprietors  of  the  Athe- 
naeum respectfully  submit  to  the  consideration  of  the  public  the 
foregoing  plan  and  remarks,  explanatory  of  the  nature,  design, 
and  objects  of  the  institution,  together  with  the  terms  and  con- 
ditions of  subscription,  which  are  hereunto  annexed. 

"  Theo.  Parsons,  President. 

"  Wm.  S.  Shaw,   Secretary. 

"terms  of  subscription  to  the  boston  athen^uji. 

"  1.  The  estate,  effects,  and  property  of  the  Boston  Athenaeum 
shall  be  vested  in  the  holders  of  shares,  under  the  title  of  the 
Proprietors  of  the  Boston  Athenaeum  ;  the  number  of  shares 
shall  not  exceed  one  hundred  and  fifty  ;  and  no  individual  shall 
hold  more  than  three  shares. 

*  See  pp.  16,  17.  t  See  pp.  18-22.  t  See  p.  23. 

6 


42  HISTORY   OP 

"  2.  The  price  of  each  share  is  three  hundred  dollars ;  to  be 
paid  thirty-three  and  one  third  per  cent,  in  sixty  days,  and  the 
remainder  in  two  equal  payments,  the  first  in  one  year,  the 
second  in  two  years,  from  the  date  of  these  proposals ;  notes 
to  be  given  to  the  treasurer  of  the  Athenceum  for  the  amount, 
unless  the  subscriber  shall  choose  to  pay  the  whole  sum  at 
once. 

"eights  and  privileges  of  the  proprietors. 

"  A  proprietor  shall  have,  for  every  share  he  may  own,  two 
tickets  of  admission  to  the  Atheneeum ;  one  of  said  tickets 
transferable  according  to  the  regulations  to  be  adopted  ;  and 
he  shall  also  have  the  right  of  introducing  strangers  according 
to  said  regulations. 

"  Every  proprietor  shall  have  a  right  to  transfer  his  share  or 
shares  by  will,  or  other  instrument  in  writing  ;  and  his  share 
or  shares  shall  be  inheritable  personal  property  ;  these  rights 
to  be  exercised  under  such  limitations  and  in  such  form  and 
manner,  as  the  proprietors  shall  prescribe. 

"  The  subscribers  for  proprietors'  shares  shall  not  be  requir- 
ed to  pay  any  further  contribution,  after  the  price  of  their 
shares  shall  have  been  once  paid ;  and  they  shall  be  secured 
against  all  future  claims  and  demands  upon  them  on  account 
of  any  debt,  which  the  institution  may  contract. 

"  life  subscribers. 

"  It  is  also  proposed  to  admit  another  class  of  subscribers, 
called  Subscrihers  for  Life. 

"  The  price  of  a  life  share  to  be  one  hundred  dollars  ;  to 
be  paid  one  half  in  sixty  days,  and  the  other  half  in  one  year. 

"  Every  such  subscriber  shall  have  one  ticket  of  admission 
to  every  part  of  the  Athenaeum,  transferable  under  such  terms 
and  conditions,  as  the  proprietors  may  prescribe. 

"  THE    GOVERNMENT 

of  the  Athenaeum  shall  be  in  the  Proprietors,  or  in  such  per- 
sons as  they  shall  choose  from  among  themselves. 


THE   BOSTON   ATHEN^UM.  43 

"  When  shares  to  a  sufficient  number  shall  have  been  taken, 
the  President  and  Secretary  for  the  time  being  shall  call  a 
meeting  of  the  subscribers  for  proprietors'  shares  ;  who,  together 
with  the  present  and  then  existing  proprietors,  shall  enter 
upon  the  exercise  of  the  powers  vested  in  them ;  organize  the 
corporation ;  designate  and  choose  officers  ;  devise  means  for 
increasing  the  funds  of  the  institution,  and  direct  the  mode  of 
applying  them  ;  take  measures  to  erect  or  purchase  the  necessary 
buildings  ;  determine  the  evidence  which  each  proprietor  shall 
have  of  his  share  or  shares  ;  define  and  establish  the  rights  of 
proprietors,  life  subscribers,  annual  subscribers,  and  occasional 
visiters ;  make  such  further  regulations  as  shall  be  judged 
expedient ;  and  generally  execute  all  powers  granted  by  the 
act  of  incorporation,  and  expressed  in  the  terms  and  condi- 
tions here  published. 

"  Boston,  8th  May,  1807." 

On  the  18th  of  June,  about  a  month  after  the  circulation 
of  the  preceding  Memoir,  Mr.  Lowell,  on  behalf  of  the  com- 
mittee, reported  to  a  meeting  of  the  Directors,  held  at  the 
office  of  Mr.  Shaw,  that  they  had  obtained  subscriptions  for 
one  hmidred  and  fifty  shares  at  three  hundred  dollars  each 
($45,000),  which  was  the  whole  amount  proposed  to  be 
raised  by  the  original  plan. 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  original  subscription  list,  one 
share  being  taken  where  a  larger  number  is  not  mentioned. 
The  list  was  preceded  by  the  "  Terms  of  Subscription." 

"  We,  the  subscribers,  do  agree  to  take  the  number  of  Pro- 
prietors' Shares  set  against  our  respective  names,  and  do  en- 
gage to  make  the  payments  and  fulfil  the  conditions  prescribed 
in  the  foregoing  terms  of  subscription  for  proprietors'  shares  in 
the  Boston  Athenaeum. 

Stephen  Higginson,     Josiah  Quincy,  (3.)      James  Perkins, 
Harrison  Gray  Otis,     Samuel  Eliot,  Allan  Pollock, 

John  Lowell,  (2.)        Isaac  P.  Davis,  John  C.  Brown, 


44 


HISTORY  OF 


Jonathan  Mason, 
Sam'l  Salisbury,  Jr. 
George  Higginson, 
Samuel  G.  Perkins, 
Richard  Derby, 
Thomas  Perkins, 
Daniel  Sargent, 
Joseph  Head, 
Thomas  H,  Perkins, 
William  Pickman, 
Uriah  Cotting, 
John  T.  Apthorp, 
Benjamin  Bussey, 
Thomas  C.  Amory, 
Jonathan  Davis, 
T.  W.  Storrow, 
Peter  [O.]  Thacher, 
Samuel  Torrey, 
John  Callender, 
Samuel  Dexter, 
Thomas  Bartlett, 
John  Quincy  Adams, 
Charles  Lowell, 
John  E..  Parker, 
John  Hancock, 
John  L.  Sullivan, 
Cornelius  Coolidge, 
Samuel  D.  Parker, 
Francis  J.  Oliver, 
Oliver  Putnam, 
Nathan  Appleton, 
S.  Higginson,  Jr.  (2.) 
John  Richards, 
Andrew  Craigie, 
Stephen  Codman, 
George  Blake, 


A.  W.  Atherton, 

Samuel  May, 
Timothy  Bigelow, 
Stephen  Jones,  Jr. 
Daniel  Ingalls, 
Bryant  P.  Tilden, 
Robert  Lamb, 
Isaac  Parker, 
Benjamin  Joy, 
J.  Lloyd,  Jr. 
John  Gore, 
Allan  Melville, 
Joseph  Coolidge,  Jr. 

C.  Bradbury, 
William  Ritchie, 
Eben  Preble, 
John  Prince,  Jr. 
Samuel  Parkman, 
Kirk  Boott, 

Ed.  Tuckerman,  Jr. 
Thos.  L.  Winthrop, 
Timothy  Williams, 
Wm.  Smith  Shaw, 
Adam  Babcock, 
William  Sawyer, 
Judah  Hays, 
J.  Parker, 
William  Wood, 
Abraham  Touro, 
Samuel  D.  Harris, 
John  Davis, 
Gardiner  Greene, 

D.  S.  Bradstreet, 
Edward  Blake,  Jr. 
Nathaniel  Goddard, 
John  B.  Frazier, 


Samuel  Salisbury, 
Joseph  Tilden, 
Charles  Davis, 
John  C.  Howard, 
Peter  C.  Brooks, 
William  Savage, 
Thomas  K.  Jones, 
N.  R.  Sturgis, 
Joseph  W.  Revere, 
William  Ingalls, 
John  Heard,  Jr. 
John  Rice, 
John  May,  Jr. 
William  Spooner, 
William  Oliver, 
Perkins  Nichols, 
Shubael  Bell, 
Israel  Munson, 
Thomas  Burley, 
William  R.  Gray, 
William  Story, 
Henry  Cary, 
Eben'r  T.  Andrews, 
George  G.  Lee, 
Thomas  Gushing, 
Joseph  Hurd,  Jr. 
Isaiah  Thomas, 
W.  Cochran, 
Charles  Bulfinch, 
Benjamin  Whitwell, 
H.  J.  Andrews, 
S.  Jackson  Prescott, 
John  Binney, 
James  Prentiss, 
Theodore  Lyman, 
Russell  Sturgis, 


THE  BOSTON   ATHEN^UM. 


45 


Caleb  Loring, 
Ebenezer  Stocker, 
Andrew  Dexter,  Jr. 
William  Phillips,  (3. 
Stephen  McLellan, 
John  Smith, 
B.  Pickman,  Jr. 
Francis  C.  Lowell, 
M.  R.  Bartlett, 
Nathaniel  Amory, 
Eliphalet  Williams, 


Benjamin  Weld, 
Wm.  V.  Hutchings, 
John  Warren, 
)Joshua  Davis, 
Benjamin  Rich, 
Thomas  Hill,  Jr. 
R.  H.  Gardiner, 
David  S.  Eaton, 
Eben  Larkin, 
Nehemiah  Parsons, 


Micajah  Sawyer, 
David  West,  Jr. 
James  Bowdoin, 
R.  Fletcher, 
Joseph  Hall, 
Timothy  Fuller, 
Jonathan  Phillips, 
Seth  Knowles, 
William  Prescott, 
John  Cod  man. 


"  LIFE   SUBSCRIBERS. 


"  We,  the  subscribers,  do  agree  to  take  the  number  of  Life 
Shares,  in  the  Boston  Athenaeum,  set  against  our  respective 
names,  and  to  make  the  payments  required  of  life  subscribers, 
and  to  fulfil  the  conditions  prescribed  in  the  terms  of  subscrip- 
tion for  such  subscribers. 


James  Jackson, 
Charles  Jackson, 
Edmund  T.  Dana, 
Benjamin  Welles, 
William  Emerson, 
James  Savage, 


Joseph  McKean, 
John  Gorham, 
John  S.  J.  Gardiner, 
John  T.  Kirkland, 
Robert  Field, 
Winthrop  Sargent, 


Samuel  C.  Thacher, 
William  Tudor,  Jr. 
William  Wells, 
Charles  Tappan, 
Isaac  Mansfield, 
Octavius  Pickering." 


This  success  was  regarded  as  evidence  that  the  patronage 
of  the  community  might  be  rehed  upon,  and  a  new  organi- 
zation was  deemed  requisite  to  give  to  the  new  proprietors 
their  due  weight.  To  this  end,  it  was  voted  that  a  new 
meeting  of  the  proprietors  be  called  for  electing  officers, 
defining  their  powers,  and  appointing  agents  for  the  pur- 
chase of  land  and  the  erection  of  the  Ijuilding  then  contem- 
plated. "  The  Society  for  Promoting  Philosophical  Know- 
ledge" having  proposed  "  to  unite  their  apparatus  with  the 
Boston  Athenaeum  on  terms  mutually  beneficial,"  it  was 


46  HISTORY  OF 

voted  to  receive  it  at  the  price  of  one  thousand  dollars, 
"  giving  credit  to  the  members  of  the  Society  for  their 
respective  proportions,  to  go  towards  their  subscriptions  to 
the  AthenjBum  ; "  and,  where  they  were  not  subscribers, 
they  were  to  give  their  proportions  "  to  promote  the  objects 
of  the  Athenaium,"  —  lectures  on  natural  philosophy  being 
at  this  time  comprehended  within  its  design.  At  the  same 
meeting,  certificates  for  life  shares  in  the  Athengeum  were 
voted  to  all  the  members  of  the  Anthology  Club,  in  con- 
sideration of  then*  having  "  generously  made  over  and  con- 
veyed to  the  Trustees  a  valuable  collection  of  books  on 
hand,  a  considerable  importation  of  new  books  just  arrived 
from  England,  an  amiual  subscription,  which  they  had  pro- 
cured for  their  own  establishment,  and  the  profits  resulting 
from  the  pubhcation  of  the  Anthology."  These  donations 
were  considered  as  bringing  more  value  to  the  Athengeum, 
than  if  the  donors  had  paid  for  life  shares ;  besides  that 
several  of  them  had  also  "  become  subscribers  to  the 
Athengeum,  notwithstanding  the  above  generous  donations." 
In  the  vote,  the  names  of  several  persons  were  inserted, 
who  did  not  belong  to  the  Anthology  Club  when  the  transfer 
of  its  property  was  made,  but  who,  having  been  since  that 
time  admitted  members,  were  regarded  as  entitled  to  the 
privilege,  as  editors  of  the  Anthology. 

The  first  meeting  which  included  the  new  proprietors 
was  held  on  the  16th,  and,  by  adjournment,  on  the  17th 
of  July,  1807,  at  the  hall  of  the  Massachusetts  Bank ; 
when  it  was  voted,  that  the  officers  of  the  corporation  should 
be  a  President,  Vice-President,  Secretary,  and  Treasurer, 
who  were  to  be  members  ex  officio  of  the  board  of  Trustees ; 
and  that  this  board  should  consist  of  the  abovementioned 
officers  and  eight  other  persons,  and  be  empowered  to 
manage  all  afiairs  of  the  corporation,  of  what  nature  soever, 
in  a  manner  not  repugnant  to  the  terms  of  the  subscrip- 


THE  BOSTON  ATHEN^UM.  47 

tion,  or  the  fimdamental  regulations  adopted  by  the  pro- 
prietors.* 

The  by-laws  and  regulations  they  might  make,  were  to 
have  force  until  the  first  subsequent  meeting  of  the  propri- 
etors, to  whom  they  were  to  be  submitted  for  approbation 
or  dissent.  Five  of  the  Trustees  constituted  a  quorum  for 
granting  moneys,  and  three  for  ordinary  business.  It  was 
at  the  same  time  voted,  that,  after  the  present  year,  the 
election  of  officers  should  take  place  annually  on  the  first 
Tuesday  in  August. 

Of  the  capital  stock,  it  was  ordered  that  ten  thousand 
dollars  be  invested,  and  the  interest  applied  to  current  ex- 
penses and  exigencies ;  that  twenty-jive  thousand  be  appUed 
to  the  purchase  of  land  and  the  erection  of  a  suitable 
building ;  fifteen  hundred  to  the  purchase  of  philosophical 
instruments ;  one  thousand  to  the  purchase  of  objects  suited 
for  a  museum  of  natural  and  artificial  cuiiosities,  and  objects 
of  the  fine  arts ;  and  aU  the  other  funds  to  the  purchase  of 
books,  maps,  charts,  and  other  literary  works,  at  the  discre- 
tion of  the  Trustees. 

The  design  of  erecting  a  building  was  soon  abandoned. 
The  attack  upon  the  frigate  Chesapeake  by  the  British, 
the  measures  adopted  by  our  government  in  retaUation  of 
it,  and  the  general  indications  of  a  rupture  with  Great  Brit- 
ain, were  precursors  of  pecuniary  difficulties  and  embarrass- 
ments affecting  aU  the  money  operations  of  the  commu- 
nity. In  this  state  of  things,  the  Trustees  of  the  Athe- 
naeum, at  the  first  meeting  after  their  appointment,  on  the 
22d  of  August,  1807,  voted,  that  it  was  "  mexpedient  to 


*  At  this  meeting  were  elected :  President,  Theophilus  Parsons  ;  Vice- 
President,  John  Davis ;  Treasurer,  John  Lowell ;  Secretary,  William  Smith 
Shaw  ;  Trustees,  William  Emerson,  John  Thornton  Kirkland,  Peter  Oxen- 
bridge  Thacher,  Robert  Hallowell  Gardiner,  Joseph  Stevens  Buckminsterj 
Harrison  Gray  Otis,  James  Perkins,  and  Samuel  Eliot. 


48  HISTORY   OF 

attempt  to  increase  the  number  of  proprietors'  shares  at 
the  present  moment"  ;  and,  at  their  next  meeting,  on  the 
2cl  of  October,  that,  in  their  opinion,  it  was  inexpedient  at 
present  to  proceed,  in  execution  of  the  vote  of  the  proprie- 
tors, to  purchase  land  and  erect  an  edifice  for  the  purposes 
of  the  mstitution,  in  consequence  of  "  certain  pubhc  events" 
which  had  taken  place  since  that  vote  was  passed. 

The  embarrassed  relations  of  the  country  arising  from 
embargoes,  non-intercourse,  and  ultimately  war  with  Great 
Britaui,  created  insvmnountable  obstacles  to  the  increase  of 
the  institution.  A  pohcy,  which  had  paralyzed  all  the 
commercial  energy  of  the  period,  left  the  friends  of  the 
Athenoeum  no  resource  for  its  advancement,  but  their 
personal  efibrts.  They  authorized  the  Secretary  to  hire  an 
additional  room,  and  fit  it  up  for  the  immediate  accommo- 
dation of  the  subscribers,  took  measures  for  the  safe  in- 
vestment of  then*  fmids,  and  appointed  a  committee  "  for 
the  pui'pose  of  purchasmg  such  rare  and  valuable  works, 
and  articles  for  the  apparatus  and  museum,  as  shall  be 
thought  useful  for  the  estabhshment,  under  the  limitations 
prescribed  by  the  proprietors." 

On  the  7th  of  April,  1808,  the  Trustees  adopted  a  set 
of  i-ules  for  the  government  of  the  institution  ;  which  the 
proprietors,  on  the  11th  of  August,  after  reelecting  the 
officers  of  the  preceding  year,  approved  by  their  vote. 
They  were  as  follows : 

"  1.  Annual  subscribers  may  be  admitted  at  ten  dollars  per 
annum  ;  the  subscription  right  to  end  on  the  31st  day  of  De- 
cember of  the  year  when  the  subscription  may  be  made. 

"  2.  Proprietors  and  subscribers  shall  be  furnished  with 
tickets  signed  by  the  President  or  Vice-President,  and  by  the 
Secretary,  expressing  their  respective  rights. 

"  3.  The  tickets  of  proprietors  and  of  life-subscribers  shall 
admit  the  bearers  of  them  to  the  privileges  of  the  institution, 


THE   BOSTON   ATHEN^UM.  49 

with  restrictions  as  to  inhabitants  of  Boston,  or  of  places  within 
twenty  miles  of  Boston,  as  provided  in  a  subsequent  article. 
To  prevent  the  trouble  of  calling  for  a  ticket  of  admission  on 
each  visit,  proprietors  and  life  subscribers  may  make  a  tempo- 
rary transfer  of  the  tickets  of  admission,  which  they  may  be 
entitled  to  hold,  for  a  term  not  less  than  one  month ;  which 
transfer  shall  be  recorded  by  the  Secretary,  and  be  notified  to 
the  Librarian. 

"  4.  Rights  and  shares  in  this  institution  shall  be  indivisible. 

"  5.  Proprietors  and  life  subscribers  shall  be  furnished  with 
certificates  of  their  property,  under  the  seal  of  the  corporation, 
signed  by  the  President,  and  countersigned  by  the  Secretary, 
and  in  such  form  as  the  Trustees  shall  direct. 

"  6.  Transfers  of  shares  shall  be  made  by  surrender  of  the 
certificates  of  property  and  by  granting  new  certificates,  sub- 
ject to  the  approbation  of  the  Trustees ;  and  a  record  of  all 
transfers  shall  be  made  by  the  Secretary. 

"  7.  The  library  and  reading-room  shall  be  open  every 
day  (Sunday  excepted)  from  eight  o'clock  in  the  morning  till 
nine  at  night,  and  at  such  other  times  as  the  Trustees  shall 
direct. 

"  8.  Proprietors,  subscribers,  and  visiters,  desirous  of  mak- 
ing notes  and  extracts,  will  be  furnished,  at  the  expense  of  the 
institution,  with  tables,  pens,  ink,  paper,  &c.,  for  that  purpose. 

"  9.  Proprietors  and  subscribers  may  propose  any  books 
which  they  may  think  proper  for  the  library  ;  or  any  news- 
paper, literary  or  political  journal,  for  the  reading-room,  by 
entering  the  title  in  a  book,  which  shall  be  kept  for  that  pur- 
pose in  the  library. 

"  10.  All  new  books,  pamphlets,  magazines,  and  reviews 
shall  be  placed  on  the  tables  of  the  library  or  reading-room, 
and  remain  there  for  such  length  of  time  as  may  appear  neces- 
sary for  their  perusal ;  and  no  book,  pamphlet,  review,  maga- 
zine, or  newspaper  shall  be  taken  by  any  proprietor,  sub- 
scriber, or  visiter,  out  of  the  rooms.  Any  proprietor  or  life 
subscriber,  infringing  this  article,  shall  forfeit  his  privilege  in 

7 


50  HISTORY   OF 

the  institution  for  one  year ;  and  annual  subscribers  shall  forfeit 
the  privilege  of  their  subscription  by  a  similar  offence. 

"11.  Any  proprietor  or  subscriber,  injuring  a  book  and 
refusing  to  make  compensation  therefor,  or  otherwise  infring- 
ing the  regulations  of  this  institution,  that  shall  from  time  to 
time  be  made  and  published,  shall  be  excluded  from  future 
access  to  the  rooms  until  the  next  meeting  of  the  Trustees, 
when  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Librarian  to  report,  and  of  the 
Trustees  to  take  order  thereon, 

"  12.  No  inhabitant  of  Boston,  or  of  any  town  or  place 
within  twenty  miles  of  Boston,  who  is  not  a  proprietor  or  sub- 
scriber to  the  institution,  or  a  member  of  the  family  of  a  pro- 
prietor or  life  subscriber,  bearing  their  ticket,  shall  be  allowed 
access  to  the  library  or  reading-room,  unless  by  consent  of  the 
Trustees  or  of  their  committee  ;  but  any  stranger,  not  living 
or  usually  residing  within  twenty  miles  of  Boston,  may  be  in- 
troduced by  any  proprietor  or  life  subscriber,  personally  or  by 
their  card  or  note  addressed  to  the  Librarian.  And  any  per- 
son, thus  introduced,  may  have  the  same  use  of  the  books  and 
papers  as  is  allowed  to  subscribers,  provided  there  be  entered 
in  a  book,  to  be  kept  for  that  purpose,  the  name  of  such  stran- 
ger and  of  the  person  by  whom  he  may  be  introduced,  such 
person  to  be  responsible  for  his  observing  the  rules  and  regula- 
tions of  the  institution.  Any  number  of  persons,  accompany- 
ing a  proprietor  on  a  visit  to  the  rooms  of  the  institution,  may 
be  admitted. 

"  13.  The  Trustees  may  give  tickets  of  admission  to  all  the 
privileges  of  the  library  and  reading-room,  during  occasional 
visits,  to  any  person,  residing  out  of  Boston,  who  may  have 
made  a  donation  to  the  institution  to  the  amount  o^ fifty  dollars. 

"  14.  The  judges  of  the  Supreme  Judicial  Court,  the  judges 
of  the  Circuit  and  District  Courts,  the  President  and  Professors 
of  Harvard  College,  the  President  of  the  American  Academy 
of  Arts  and  Sciences,  and  of  the  Historical  Society,  the  Presi- 
dent of  the  Massachusetts  Medical  Society,  and  the  President 
of  the  Agricultural  Society,  shall  be  considered  honorary  mem- 


THE  BOSTON  ATHENiEUM.  51 

bers  of  the  institution,  and  entitled  to  its  privileges.  The  use 
of  the  reading-room  and  library  shall  also  be  allowed  to  the 
tutors,  librarian,  regent,  proctors,  and  resident  graduates  of 
said  College. 

"  15.  All  books,  which  may  be  presented  or  bequeathed  to 
the  institution,  shall  be  immediately  deposited  in  the  library  ; 
and  all  donations  which  may  be  made,  whether  in  books,  mo- 
ney, or  other  property,  shall  be  recorded  in  a  book  to  be  kept 
by  the  Secretary  for  that  purpose  ;  and  a  publication  of  such 
donations  shall  be  made  by  the  Trustees  in  some  public  paper, 
printed  in  Boston,  at  such  times  and  in  such  manner  as  they 
shall  determine. 

"  16.  All  donations  shall  be  strictly  appropriated  and  appli- 
ed according  to  the  will  or  direction  of  the  donors,  expressed 
at  the  time  of  the  donation.  If  no  special  appropriation  be 
directed  by  the  donors,  such  donations  shall  be  applied  to  the 
benefit  of  the  institution,  as  the  Trustees  may  direct.  And  in 
all  books  given  to  the  institution  or  purchased  with  the  pro- 
ceeds of  any  donation,  there  shall  be  pasted  a  label  at  the 
beginning,  expressing  the  name  of  the  donor. 

"  17.  A  complete  catalogue  of  all  the  books  and  pamphlets 
belonging  to  the  institution  shall  be  constantly  in  each  of  the 
apartments  for  the  inspection  of  visiters. 

"  18.  Conversation  in  the  library  or  reading-room,  to  the 
disturbance  of  others,  is  prohibited. 

"  19.  There  shall  be  an  annual  examination,  ten  days  at 
least,  before  the  annual  meeting,  of  the  library,  reading-room, 
and  of  all  the  property  of  the  institution,  by  a  committee  of 
proprietors  to  be  chosen  at  the  preceding  annual  meeting. 
The  examination  of  the  present  year  shall  be  made  by  a  com- 
mittee of  the  Trustees ;  and  reports  of  the  examining  commit- 
tees of  the  state  and  condition  of  the  library  and  reading-room, 
and  of  the  property  and  concerns  of  the  institution,  shall  be 
made  to  the  proprietors,  at  their  annual  meeting. 

"  20.  There  shall  be  a  meeting  of  the  Trustees  on  the  first 
Mondays  of  January,  April,  July,  and  October,  annually,  at 


52  HISTORY   OF 

6  o'clock  p.  M.  at  the  library,  or  at  such  other  place  as  may 
be  notified  to  them  by  the  President  or  Vice-President,  to  de- 
liberate and  decide  on  the  affairs  committed  to  their  trust. 
They  shall  keep  regular  minutes  of  their  proceedings,  and 
take  care  to  preserve  exact  order  and  the  strictest  economy  in 
the  management  of  all  the  affairs  of  the  institution. 

"21.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Treasurer  to  keep  exact 
and  detailed  accounts  of  all  the  property  belonging  to  the  in- 
stitution, as  also  of  all  receipts  and  expenditures  ;  and  he  shall 
make  such  exhibits  of  the  pecuniary  concerns  of  the  institution, 
at  the  stated  meetings  of  the  Trustees,  or  at  other  times,  as  they 
shall  require. 

"  22.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Secretary  to  keep  distinct 
and  perfect  records  of  all  the  proceedings  of  the  Proprietors 
and  of  the  Trustees,  which  he  shall  bring  with  him  at  each 
stated  meeting  of  the  Trustees,  and  of  each  meeting  of  the 
Proprietors.  He  shall  also  carefully  file  and  preserve  in  proper 
order,  all  letters,  papers,  bills,  and  documents  relative  to  the 
affairs  of  the  institution,  not  belonging  to  the  Treasurer's  de- 
partment. 

"  23.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Librarian  to  arrange  and 
preserve  the  books,  and  pamphlets,  and  other  property,  that 
may  be  placed  in  the  apartments  of  the  institution,  in  con- 
venient and  proper  order  ;  to  make  out  complete  catalogues 
of  the  same,  to  see  that  such  of  the  rules  and  regulations  as 
relate  to  the  use  of  the  library  and  reading-room,  or  other 
apartments,  be  observed,  and  to  do  such  other  duty  relative  to 
his  office  as  may  be  directed  by  the  Trustees. 

"  24.  The  Librarian  may  appoint  assistants  or  substitutes 
for  the  execution  of  the  duties  appertaining  to  his  office,  which 
assistants  or  substitutes  shall  be  approved,  and  their  compen- 
sation determined,  by  the  Trustees. 

"  25.  A  Standing  Committee  of  the  Trustees,  three  in  num- 
ber, of  which  the  Librarian  shall  be  one,  shall  be  chosen  at 
each  stated  meeting  of  the  Trustees,  whose  duty  it  shall  be 
more  immediately  to  visit  and  superintend  the  institution  during 


THE  BOSTON   ATHEN^UM.  63 

their  term,  and  who  shall  advise  and  direct  relative  to  inci- 
dental expenses  occurring  between  the  meetings  of  the  Trustees, 
and  any  other  contingencies,  including  correspondences  rela- 
tive to  the  institution ;  a  report  of  all  their  proceedings  to  be 
made  at  the  stated  meetings  of  the  Trustees. 

"  26.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Trustees  at  their  stated 
meetings  to  consider  and  direct  relative  to  the  purchase  of 
books,  and  to  appoint  a  committee  for  that  purpose. 

"  27.  No  money  shall  be  drawn  from  the  treasury,  unless 
by  order  of  the  Trustees  or  of  the  Standing  Committee,  or 
the  major  part  of  them,  pursuant  to  appropriations  and  subject 
to  such  rules  and  orders  as  the  Trustees  may  prescribe. 

"  28.  The  officers  of  the  institution,  except  the  Librarian 
and  Secretary,  are  to  serve  in  their  respective  offices  without 
any  pay  or  emolument  or  pecuniary  advantage  whatever  ;  and, 
after  the  present  year,  the  compensation  of  the  Librarian  and 
Secretary  shall  be  determined  previous  to  their  election. 

"  29.  The  offices  of  Secretary  and  Librarian  shall  be  united 
until  otherwise  ordered  by  the  Trustees  or  by  the  Proprietors." 

The  rooms,  first  hired  and  used  for  the  accommodation  of 
the  proprietors,  were  situated  in  Scollay's  Buildings, between 
Tremont  and  Court  Streets.  This  position  was  found  cir- 
cumscribed and  inconvenient,  and  the  necessity  of  pur- 
chasing a  suitable  site  for  the  institution  early  became 
apparent,  although  the  erection  of  an  edifice  was  postponed. 
Accorduigly,  on  the  13th  of  February,  1809,  Mr.  Lowell 
was  appointed  a  committee  to  purchase  "  the  house  of 
Doyle  &  Bowen,  as  a  temporary  accommodation  for  the 
Boston  Athenaeum,  at  a  sum  not  exceeding  ten  thousand 
dollars."  This  house  was  situated  in  Tremont  Street,  on 
the  spot  where  now  (1847)  stands  the  Savings  Bank. 
The  purchase  was  effected  in  the  following  month,  at  the 
price  of  nine  thousand  dollars.  Possession  was  taken  in  the 
course  of  the  same  month ;  the  rooms  were  suitably  pre- 


54  HISTORY   OF 

pared,  and  in  July  the  library  was  arranged  in  its  new 
abode. 

In  August,  1809,  the  last  year's  officers  were  reappoint- 
ed ;  and  at  an  adjourned  meeting,  in  September,  the  vote 
concerning  the  appropriation  of  twenty-five  thousand  dollars 
for  an  edifice  was  rescinded  except  as  to  the  portion  of  it 
already  expended  for  the  pui'chase  of  the  estate  m  Tre- 
mont  Street ;  and,  of  the  residue,  a  part  was  ordered  to  be 
funded,  and  a  part  was  placed  at  the  disposition  of  the 
Trustees. 

During  this  official  year,  measures  were  taken  for  procur- 
ing a  Catalogue  of  the  Library,  and  one  was  made  by  the 
Rev.  Joseph  McKean  ;  *  but,  beyond  the  management  of 
the  prudential  concerns  of  the  institution,  nothing  was 
attempted.  The  year  was  marked,  however,  by  one 
event,  which  had  no  inconsiderable  effect  in  adding  to  the 
dignity  and  usefulness  of  the  Athenaeum.  John  Quincy 
Adams,  being  about  to  embark  on  his  mission  to  Russia, 
deposited  in  its  rooms,  for  the  use  of  the  proprietors,  his 
own  Hbrary,  amounting  to  five  thousand  four  hundred  and 
fifty  volumes,  thus  at  once  doubling  the  number  of  books 
in  the  collection ;  for  in  November,  1809,  the  volumes 
belonging  to  the  uistitution  are  stated  to  be  only  five  thou- 
sand seven  hundred  and  fifty.  Here  it  remained  for  about 
thirteen  years,  till  the  Athen^um  was  removed  to  Pearl 


*  This  Catalogue,  in  which  the  titles  are  distributed  into  fifteen  classes  (the 
last  containing  Tracts),  was  printed,  making  an  octavo  volume  of  267  pages. 
It  was  preceded  by  the  following  advertisement,  instead  of  a  title-page  : 

"  Large  additions  have  been  made  to  the  Library  since  these  sheets  were 
struck  off,  and  therefore  this  Catalogue  is  incomplete.  A  few  copies  have 
been  put  together  in  this  form  for  use  in  the  rooms.  The  Catalogue,  whea 
completed  with  an  appendix,  index,  and  preface,  will  be  published  and  sold." 

Successive  committees  were  appointed  to  write  the  preface,  but  this  seems 
never  to  have  been  done,  nor  the  Catalogue  ever  to  have  been  published.  Sev- 
eral interleaved  copies  of  it  continued  to  be  used  in  the  Library  till  the  publi- 
cation of  a  larger  Catalogue  in  1827,  in  which,  however,  the  Tracts  are  not 
embraced. 


THE   BOSTON   ATHEN^UM.  55 

Street,  the  proprietors  causing  it  to  be  insured  for  five 
thousand  dollars. 

In  August,  1810,  the  same  officers  were  chosen  for  the 
fourth  time,  and  a  vote  was  passed  by  the  proprietors, 
requesting  the  Trustees  to  cause  their  books  to  be  insured. 
The  Trustees,  accordingly,  at  their  next  meeting,  authorized 
an  insurance  of  fifteen  thousand  dollars. 

At  the  annual  meeting  of  the  proprietors,  on  the  10th 
of  August,  1811,  John  Lowell  resigned  the  office  of  Treas- 
urer, and  Joseph  Tilden  was  appointed  in  his  place ; 
and,  in  consequence  of  other  resignations,  new  members 
were  chosen  into  the  board  of  Trustees.*  On  the  7th  of 
November  following,  at  an  adjourned  meeting  of  the  pro- 
prietors, the  accounts  of  the  former  Treasurer  were  satis- 
factorily adjusted,  and  the  property  of  the  institution  was 
transferred  to  his  successor.  An  investigation  was  now 
made  into  its  financial  state.  It  was  found,  that  a  large  sum 
of  money  was  due  to  it,  and  that  it  was  likely  to  sufier  from 
the  insolvency  of  some  of  the  original  subscribers,  and  from 
the  delinquency  of  others.  An  urgent  necessity  being  ap- 
parent, that  efficient  measures  should  be  taken  to  collect 
the  debts,  and  to  place  the  funds  in  a  safe  and  productive 
state,  the  Treasurer  was  instructed  to  enforce  the  payment 
of  these  debts  where  it  was  practicable,  to  discharge  such 
subscribers  as  were  unable  to  pay  the  remaining  instal- 
ments of  their  original  subscription  (they  releasing  to  the 
institution  the  amount  they  had  already  paid),  and,  with  re- 
spect to  such  subscribers  as  had  paid  no  part  of  their  sub- 
scription, to  strike  their  names  from  the  list,  and  endeavour 
to  substitute  other  subscribers. 

*  Officers  chosen  in  1811,  —  President,  Theophilus  Parsons; —  Vice-Presi- 
dent, John  Davis  ; —  Treasurer,  Joseph  Tilden  ;  — Secretary  and  Librarian, 
William  S.  Shaw  ;  —  Trustees,  Peter  Oxenbridge  Thacher,  Robert  Hallowell 
Gardiner,  Joseph  Stevens  Buckminster,  Harrison  Gray  Otis,  James  Perkins, 
Samuel  Dexter,  Richard  Sullivan,  John  Lowell. 


56  HISTOKY   OF 

The  committee  for  examining  the  Treasurer's  accounts 
reported  the  estimate  of  the  property  of  the  institution  to 
be  $38,779-53,  according  to  the  following  schedule: 
Real  estate  on  Tremont  Street,  at  cost,     .    $10,070-18 

Bank  stock, 9,867-75 

Notes  of  hand  and  other  debts  (bad  debts 

deducted), 6,100 

Philosophical  apparatus, 1,000 

Books,  purchased,  not  including  donations,  11,741*60 

$38,779-53 

The  proprietors  then  appointed  a  committee  for  the  pur- 
pose of  filling  up  the  list  of  subscribers  to  the  original  num- 
ber, and  of  procuring  annual  subscribers.  The  annual  sub- 
scription was  now  raised  bj  the  Trustees  to  twelve  dollars, 
and  any  subscriber  paying  fifteen  dollars  might  have  a 
proprietor's  pri\41ege  of  introducing  other  persons. 

In  January,  1812,  Obadiah  Rich  ofiered  to  deposit  in 
the  Athenaeum  a  considerable  collection  of  objects  in  the 
department  of  Natural  History ;  and  also  to  give  his  per- 
sonal attention  to  the  formation  of  a  Cabinet  of  Natural 
History.  The  ofier  appearing  to  the  Trustees  favorable  to 
the  cultivation  of  a  branch  of  science,  the  promotion  of 
which  was  among  the  earliest  and  most  cherished  objects 
of  the  Athenaeum,  they  immediately  appropriated  a  place 
for  such  a  cabinet,  took  measures  to  provide  cases  for 
articles  which  might  be  deposited  or  given,  requested  Mr. 
Rich  to  undertake  its  superintendence,  authorized  an  ex- 
penditure of  two  hundred  dollars  for  the  requisite  prepar- 
ations, and  appointed  a  committee  who,  in  concurrence 
with  ISIr.  Rich,  were  to  form  regulations  relative  to  the 
cabinet,  and  to  addi-ess  the  public  on  the  subject  of  contri- 
butions. 

At  the  annual  meeting  of  the  proprietoi*s,  held  by  ad- 


THE   BOSTON   ATHEN^UM.  67 

joumment,  in  October,  the  officers  of  the  preceding  year 
were  reelected. 

This  was  the  first  year  of  the  ^svar  mth.  Great  Britairi ; 
and  the  dangers  and  embarrassment,  into  which  all  the 
business  of  the  United  States  was  thrown  by  that  event, 
affected  also  the  proceedings  of  the  Trustees.  By  them 
nothing  seems  to  have  been  done  or  attempted  during 
the  whole  official  year.  Of  six  established  meetings  in  suc- 
cession, it  appears  by  the  records,  that  only  at  one  could 
a  quorum  be  assembled.  The  superintendence  of  the  affairs 
of  the  institution  devolved  almost  wholly  upon  the  Secre- 
tary, "William  S.  Shaw,  who  was  most  zealously  devoted  to 
its  interests. 

The  proprietors  at  their  annual  meeting  in  August, 
1813,  reelected  the  same  officers,  except  that  the  vacancy, 
occasioned  by  the  death  of  Mr.  Buckminster,  was  now 
filled.*  In  February  and  March,  1814,  the  proceedings 
of  the  Trustees  indicate  a  re\dved  acti\ity.  About  this 
time,  ft-om  the  limited  state  of  the  fimds,  their  decrease 
jfrom  the  first  subscription,  and  the  impossibility,  mider 
the  general  embarrassment  of  the  period,  of  obtaining 
additional  subscriptions,  the  Trustees  began  to  perceive 
that  the  objects  embraced  by  the  original  plan  of  the  Athe- 
nseum  were  too  great  for  their  means,  and  too  numerous 
to  be  included  within  the  sphere  of  one  institution ;  they 
therefore  appointed  a  committee  to  collect  all  the  books  and 
apparatus  they  had  pui'chased  of  the  Society  for  Cultivating 
Philosophical  Knowledge,  and  to  make  sale  of  the  same,  as 
to  them  might  seem  expedient. 


*  Officers  elected  in  1S13, —  President,  Theopbilus  Parsons  ; —  Vice-Pres- 
ident, John  Davis  ;  —  Treasurer,  Joseph  Tilden  ;  —  Secretary  and  Librarian, 
William  S.  Shaw;  —  Trustees,  Peter  O.  Thacher,  Robert  H.  Gardiner,  Har- 
rison G.  Otis,  James  Perkins,  Richard  Sullivan,  John  Lowell,  Samuel  Dexter, 
Josiah  Quincy. 

8 


68  HISTORY    OF 

A  committee,  wliich  had  been  appointed  for  examining 
the  library,  now  reported,  that,  ,  exclusive  of  the  books 
deposited  by  Mr.  Adams  and  by  the  Agricultural  Society, 
it  contained  eight  thousand  tivo  hundred  and  nine  volumes^ 
generally  in  good  preservation.  They  complained,  however, 
of  flagrant  mutilations  of  volumes  by  cutting  out  engrav- 
ings, of  the  incompleteness  and  inaccuracy  of  the  Catalogue 
of  the  Hbrary,  and  of  the  dilapidations  resulting  from  the 
free  access  of  boys  to  the  reading-rooms  ;  and  they  suggest- 
ed remedies.  In  conclusion,  they  expressed  their  surprise 
at  the  number  of  volumes  in  the  hbrary,  notwithstandmg  the 
appropriation  for  its  mcrease  from  the  funds  of  the  corpora- 
tion had  been  so  small ;  and  also  at  the  considerable  propor- 
tion of  valuable  works  in  the  different  branches  of  hterature 
and  science,  "  some  of  them  being  rare  and  many  of  them 
splendid."  "  Such  a  collection,"  they  say,  "  of  the  French 
Hterary  and  philosophical  journals,  of  pohtical  and  period- 
ical pubhcations,  and  especially  of  works  relating  to  our 
own  country,  are  not  to  be  found  elsewhere  in  the  United 
States."  They  add,  that  "  to  the  exertions  of  the  Libra- 
rian [Wilham  Smith  Shaw]  are  m  a  great  measure  owing 
the  great  value  and  flourishing  state  of  the  institution." 
By  way  of  detecting  past  and  preventing  future  mutUation 
and  abstraction  of  the  books,  they  recommended  pasting^ 
in  every  book  an  engraving  of  the  name  of  the  Boston 
Athenseum,  with  the  device  on  the  seal ;  advertising  such 
as  were  missing,  with  the  offer  of  a  reward  for  the  recovery 
of  them ;  a  penalty  for  taking  away  books ;  the  exclusion 
of  aU  boys  under  fifteen  years  of  age,  except  in  the  pres- 
ence of  a  parent  or  guardian ;  and  pubUshing,  annually,  a 
list  of  all  donations. 

At  the  annual  meeting  of  the  proprietors,  in  August, 
1814,  on  the  resignation  of  Theophilus  Parsons,  Judge 
Davis  was  chosen  President,  and,  in  his  stead,  John  Lowell, 


THE  BOSTON   ATHEN^UM.  59 

Vice-President ;  the  other  officers  were  reelected,  and  John 
Richards  was  appointed  Trustee  in  place  of  Mr.  Lowell.* 

At  the  annual  meeting,  in  August,  1815,  the  same  offi- 
cers were  re-chosen ;  but,  at  that  of  August,  1816,  in  con- 
sequence of  the  resignation,  by  John  Davis,  Joseph  Tilden, 
and  Samuel  Dexter,  of  their  respective  offices,  John  Lowell 
was  chosen  President ;  Josiah  Quincy,  Vice-President ; 
Nathan  Appleton,  Treasurer  ;  and  John  Davis  and  Joseph 
Tilden  were  made  Trustees,  to  fill  the  consequent  vacancies.! 

During  the  two  preceding  years  and  the  next  following, 
the  history  of  the  Athenaeum  was  not  marked  by  any  impor- 
tant measures  of  the  Trustees.  The  aspect  of  the  times, 
during  the  war  with  Great  Britain,  was  gloomy  and  discour- 
aging, and  no  present  prospect  of  increasing  the  funds 
of  the  institution  appeared.  At  this  period,  while  men's 
minds  were  absorbed  by  that  war  and  its  consequences,  the 
efficiency  of  the  Athenaeum,  and  its  very  existence,  seem  to 
have  been  in  a  manner  identified  with  WiUiam  S.  Shaw. 
He  held  the  offices  both  of  Secretary  and  Librarian,  and  oc- 
cupied himself  almost  exclusively  in  collecting  rare  books, 
pamphlets,  coins,  and  interesting  rehcs  of  antiquity,  and,  by 
purchase  or  solicitation,  bringing  them  under  its  roof.  All 
felt  the  importance  of  his  services  ;  and,  while  his  zeal  and 
activity  in  behalf  of  the  Athenaeum  were  undiminished,  both 
the  Proprietors  and  the  Trustees  seem  to  have  extended  to 


*  Officers  elected  in  181A,  —  President,  John  Davis;  —  Vice-President, 
John  Lowell ;  —  Treasurer,  Joseph  Tilden  ;  — Secretary  and  Librarian,  Wil- 
liam S.  Shaw  ;  —  Trustees,  Robert  H.  Gardiner,  Peter  O.  Thacher,  Harrison 
G.  Otis,  James  Perkins,  Samuel  Dexter,  Richard  Sullivan,  Josiah  Quincy, 
John  Richards. 

t  Officers  elected  in  1816,  —  President,  John  Lowell; — Vice-President, 
Josiah  Quincy  ;  —  Treasurer,  Nathan  Appleton  ;  —  Secretary  and  Librarian, 
William  S.  Shaw  ;  —  Trustees,  John  Davis,  Harrison  G.  Otis,  Richard  Sul- 
livan, Peter  O.  Thacher,  James  Perkins,  Joseph  Tilden,  John  Richards, 
Robert  H.  Gardiner. 


60  HISTORY   OF 

Iiim  a  greater  confidence  in  respect  to  his  discharge  of  the 
formal  and  mechanical  part  of  his, duties,  than  the  state  of 
his  general  health  and  temperament  justified.  During 
these  years,  the  records  of  the  Trustees  appear  to  have 
been  neghgently  kept,  and  their  meetings  not  regularly 
entered  or  authenticated. 

The  Proprietors  were  awakened  from  this  state  of  in- 
activity and  mattention,  by  a  special  meeting  called  by  the 
authority  of  the  President,  on  the  20th  of  January,  1818  ; 
when  it  appeared,  that  no  annual  meeting  had  been  held  in 
August,  1817,  conformably  to  the  by-laws  of  the  institution 
and  the  provisions  of  the  charter,  and  that  the  tenure,  by 
which  the  officers  held  their  respective  places,  had  termi- 
nated -svith  the  year  after  their  election.  To  remedy  this 
difficulty,  it  was  voted,  that  the  by-laws  should  be  so  altered 
as  to  make  the  term  of  future  officers  to  continue  "  until 
others  were  chosen  in  their  stead."  A  new  article  was 
adopted,  providing  that  meetings  of  the  proprietors  might 
be  called  by  the  President,  or,  in  the  case  of  his  absence 
or  death,  by  the  Vice-President,  or,  in  Uke  case  as  to  him, 
by  any  two  of  the  Trustees,  and  that  at  such  meetings  the 
proprietors  should  have  power  to  proceed  to  the  election  of 
officers  or  the  transaction  of  other  business,  "as  if  the 
meetmg  had  been  held  pursuant  to  the  by-laws  at  the 
times  fixed  and  appomted  for  such  meetmgs."  By  a 
second  article,  a  Sub-Librarian  was  to  be  appoiuted  with 
power,  in  the  absence  of  the  Librarian,  to  perform  all  the 
duties  of  the  Librarian,  and  also  such  other  duties  as  the 
Trustees  might  assign  him. 

It  was  made  the  duty  of  the  Sub-Librarian  to  procure 
the  minutes  of  the  Trustees  and  of  the  Proprietors,  to  cause 
the  same  to  be  regularly  entered  upon  the  records,  and 
also  to  execute  the  duties  of  the  Secretary  in  the  absence 
of  that  officer.      A  vote  was  passed,  declaring  that  the 


THE   BOSTON   ATHEN^UM.  61 

oflBcers  chosen  at  tMs  meeting  should  hold  their  offices  until 
the  first  Monday  in  January,  1818,  and  that  thenceforth 
the  annual  meeting  of  the  Proprietors  should  be  on  that 
day  of  the  year. 

At  the  election  which  then  ensued,  all  the  late  officers 
were  reelected  ;  and  Mr.  Lowell,  President  of  the  institu- 
tion, was  appointed  to  apply  to  the  legislature  of  Massa- 
chusetts, for  a  resolve  ratifying  these  proceedings  of  the 
proprietors.  In  conformity  with  the  new  law,  Micah  W. 
Hill  was  chosen  Sub-Librarian. 


62  HISTORY   OF 


CHAPTER  III. 

REVIVAL   OF    THE    INSTITUTION    UNDER     THE     VIGOROUS    ADMINISTRA- 
TION    OF    JOHN     LOWELL MEASURES     ADOPTED     FOR     OBTAINING     A 

NEW  BUILDING DIFFICULTIES  IN  THE  WAY  OF  SUCCESS RE- 
LIEVED   BY    THE    LIBERALITY    OF    JAMES    PERKINS THE    OFFER    OF 

HIS  MANSION-HOUSE,  IN  PEARL  STREET  —  THE  PRINCIPLES  OF  THAT 
OFFER — ITS  ACCEPTANCE  AND  THE  REMOVAL  OF  THE  INSTITUTION 
THE   DEATH  AND    CHARACTER  OF  THIS  BENEFACTOR. 

The  return  of  peace,  and  of  consequent  confidence  and 
enterprise,  infused  a  new  spirit  of  efficiency  into  the  manage- 
ment of  the  institution,  and  this  period  constitutes  an  event- 
ful era  in  its  history.  Henceforth,  the  records  of  the 
meetings  both  of  the  Proprietors  and  of  the  Trustees  were 
regularly  kept  and  authenticated,  and  a  vivid  interest  in 
its  progress  began  to  be  created.  The  legislature  of  Mas- 
sachusetts, on  the  21st  of  January,  1818,  passed  the  resolve, 
sanctioning  the  doings  of  the  proprietors,  which  Mr.  LoweU 
had  been  appointed  to  solicit ;  and  the  Trustees,  in  con- 
formity with  the  spirit  by  which  the  board  was  now  actuated, 
at  their  first  meeting,  in  February  ensuing,  appointed  a 
committee  to  confer  with  Mr.  Shaw  on  the  subject  of  coins 
and  medals,  and  to  ascertain  what  had  been  presented  to 
the  proprietors,  and  what  were  only  deposited  in  the 
Athenaeum  by  himself  or  others,  in  order  to  their  arrange- 
ment and  preservation.  Measures  were  also  taken  to  ascer- 
tain, by  a  conference  with  liim,  "  the  state  of  the  valuable 
pamphlets,  from  time  to  time  deposited  in  the  Athenaeum 
by  the  indefatigable  care  and  attention  of  Mr.  Shaw,"  the 
object  being  to  have  those  which  were  the  property  of  the 


THE   BOSTON   ATHEN^UM.  63 

Athenaeum  distinguislied  and  kept  separate  from  those 
claimed  by  him.  Votes  were  passed,  directing  inquiry  into 
the  state  of  the  late  donations  and  deposits  of  books,  —  into 
the  expediency  of  continuing  to  receive  such  temporary 
deposits,  —  into  the  connection  which  the  Athenaeum  held 
with  the  American  Academy  of  Arts  and  Sciences,  and 
with  the  Massachusetts  Agricultural  Society,  that  such 
conditions  might  be  made  as  to  render  it  mutually  beneficial, 
—  and  into  the  propriety  of  selling  or  exchanging  duphcate 
books.  The  regular  receipt  of  English,  French,  and  Amer- 
ican journals  of  science  and  hterature  was  provided  for,  and 
attention  was  given  to  the  state  of  the  Catalogue. 

At  this  meeting,  also,  a  vote  was  passed,  authorizing  the 
President  to  issue  to  Dr.  Kirkland  a  certificate  of  a  share 
in  the  Athenaeum,  in  consideration  of  the  great  services 
rendered  by  him  to  the  institution.  Several  other  votes 
tending  to  the  improvement,  enlargement,  and  increased 
usefulness  of  the  Athenaeum,  indicated  a  settled  intention 
to  give  it  a  fresh  impulse  and  a  renewed  activity.  Its  priv- 
ileges were  now  extended  gratuitously  to  the  consuls  of 
foreign  nations,  when  not  natives  of  the  United  States. 

At  a  meeting  in  March  ensuing,  the  Trustees  took  meas- 
sures  towards  erecting  a  building  on  the  land  they  owned 
in  Tremont  Street,  appointing  a  committee  to  procure  a 
plan,  and  to  consider  the  best  mode  of  efiectmg  subscrip- 
tions, or  of  procuring  other  means,  for  its  execution. 

Great  difficulties  were  found  in  bringing  Mr.  ShaAv  to  a 
settlement,  partly  from  the  state  of  his  health,  and  partly 
from  his  habitual  dilatoriness  in  relation  to  pecuniary  con- 
cerns. There  was  in  his  temperament,  united  to  a  regard- 
lessness  of  his  own  interests,  a  love  of  ease,  which  nothing 
could  awaken  to  activity,  but  the  desire  to  collect  books, 
pamphlets,  and  articles  useful  and  desirable  for  the  Athe- 
naeum,  which   he   continued  unwearied  m  obtaining  and 


64  HISTORY    OF 

adding  to  its  stores,  with  little  apparent  solicitude  that  what 
was  bought  with  his  own  funds  should  be  discriminated 
from  what  was  derived  from  the  bounty  of  others.  There 
was  in  INIr.  Shaw  nothing  of  vain-glory,  and,  of  all  men, 
he  was  the  last  to  desire  to  appropriate  to  himself  other 
men's  benefactions ;  but,  through  habit,  his  happiness  be- 
coming inseparably  united  with  the  Athengeum,  his  only 
thought  was  for  its  success.  Of  fame,  or  of  pecuniary  con- 
sequences to  himself,  he  was  equally  regardless.  At  the 
meeting  of  the  Trustees  in  April,  a  committee  was  appoint- 
ed to  receive  and  examine  his  accounts  against  the  insti- 
tution. The  injunction  to  obtain  a  settlement  with  him, 
with  full  authority  to  aUow  any  balance  due  to  him,  was 
repeated  at  the  meetings  in  April,  May,  and  July  ;  but 
the  year  passed  away  Arithout  success. 

IVIr.  Shaw  having  thus,  for  more  than  ten  years,  been  in 
the  habit  of  receiving  books,  coins,  and  medals,  by  donation 
or  by  purchasing  them  with  his  own  money,  and  having  cast 
the  whole  into  the  common  stock,  he  found  the  attempt,  to 
him,  hopeless,  and  shrunk  from  the  labor  and  exertion  neces- 
sary, to  discriminate  and  state  them ;  and  he  delayed  to 
respond  to  all  sohcitations  on  the  subject.  On  the  other 
hand,  the  Trustees,  who  daily  witnessed  the  zeal  and  dili- 
gence with  which  he  pursued  every  object  he  deemed 
important  to  be  acquired,  either  by  soHcitation  or  purchase, 
were  unwilling  to  take  measm-es  that  might  possibly  offend 
him,  and  deprive  the  Athenaeum  of  his  disinterested  efforts. 
They  thought  it  better  to  acquiesce  in  the  consequences  of 
his  natural  temperament,  than  to  do  any  thing  which  should 
separate  the  most  efficient  founder  and  best  patron  of  the 
institution  from  it,  hi  point  either  of  feeling  or  exertion. 
And,  after  repeated  trials,  they  abandoned  the  endeavour, 
which  the  increasing  constitutional  infirmities  of  Mr.  Shaw 
rendered    daily    more    and    more    hopeless    of   success. 


THE   BOSTON   ATHEN^UM.  65 

Although  no  final  settlement  was  ever  obtained  from  him, 
the  embarrassments  arising  from  the  reciprocal  claims  of 
his  estate  and  the  Athenasmn  were  honorably  reheved,  as 
will  hereafter  be  stated,  by  the  generosity  of  his  brother-in- 
law  and  administrator,  the  Rev,  jNIr.  Felt. 

The  American  Academy  of  Arts  and  Sciences  having,  in 
April,  1817,  deposited  its  library  in  one  of  the  principal 
chambers  of  the  Athengeiun,  a  formal  agreement  was  con- 
cluded in  May,  1818,  that  it  should  remain  there,  under 
the  general  care  of  the  ofl&cers  of  the  Athenaeum,  but  sub- 
ject to  the  supervision  of  the  Librarian  of  the  Academy.  It 
was  agreed  that  the  subscribers  to  the  Athenaeum  should 
have  the  use  of  the  books,  which,  however,  were  not  to  be 
taken  out  of  the  room  except  by  members  of  the  Academy. 
The  latter  were  to  have  free  access  to  the  hbrary,  and  hb- 
erty  to  hold  there  the  meetings  of  the  Academy.  For  these 
privileges,  the  Academy  was  to  pay  fifty  dollars  a  year  to 
the  Athenaeum,  the  proprietors  of  which  were  not  to  be 
responsible  for  any  loss  of  the  books,  or  damage  done  to 
them. 

At  the  annual  meeting  of  the  proprietors  in  January, 
1819,  the  officers  of  the  preceding  year  were  reelected, 
except  that  David  Sears  was  chosen  Trustee  in  the  place  of 
Mr.  Gardiner,  who  had  resigned.* 

The  contracted  limits  of  the  estate  on  Tremont  Street 
began  about  tliis  time  to  create  a  repugnance  La  many 
interested  m  the  institution  to  building  an  edifice  for  its 
accommodation  in  that  place  ;  and  the  proprietors,  at  a 
meeting  on  the  18th  of  January,  appointed  John  Lowell, 
Josiah  Quincy,  and  John  Richards,  a  committee  to  take  into 

*  Officers  elected  in  1819,  —  President,  John  Lowell; —  Vice-President, 
Josiah  Q,uinc}- ;  —  Treasurer,  Nathan  Applelon  ;  —  Secretary  and  Librarian, 
William  S.  Shaw  ; — Assistant  Librarian,  Micah  W.  Hill ; — Trustees,  John 
Davis,  Harrison  G.  Otis,  Richard  Sullivan,  John  Richards,  James  Perkins, 
Peter  O.  Thacher,  Joseph  Tilden,  David  Sears. 
9 


66  HISTORY   OF 

consideration  the  pui'chase  of  another  site,  to  ascertain  the 
terms  on  which  it  could  be  obtained^  -with  the  practicabihty 
of  procuring  a  new  subscription  sufficient  for  such  purchase, 
and  to  call  a  meeting  on  the  subject,  whenever  they  were 
prepared  to  report. 

In  January,  1819,  at  a  meeting  of  the  Trustees,  a  pre- 
viously appointed  committee  reported  on  the  state  of  the 
Library,  that  it  was  "  in  perfect  order,"  and  that  the  affairs 
of  the  corporation  had  been  satisfactorily  conducted.  They 
stated,  that  the  whole  number  of  volumes,  belonging  to  the 
AtheniBum,  was  eleven  thousand  nine  hundred  and  fifty- 
eight,  besides  seven  thousand  and  five  hundred  volmnes 
deposited  by  the  American  Academy  and  by  individuals ; 
that  alcove  catalogues  had  been  prepared,  which  greatly 
facihtated  the  examination  of  the  Library  ;  that  the  resort 
of  citizens  and  strangers  to  the  Athenaeum  was  never 
greater  ;  that  the  number  of  annual  subscribers,  which,  in 
1816,  was  only  fifteen,  now  amounted  to  forty-five  ;  that 
nimierous  donations  had  been  made  to  the  Library  ;  —  all 
indicating  a  growing  interest  in  the  institution,  and  its 
popularity. 

At  the  suggestion  of  this  committee,  the  Trustees  now 
took  measures  "  to  collect  and  arrange  the  corns  and  me- 
dals," and  also  "  to  communicate  to  the  pubHc  information 
of  the  value  of  the  Library  in  its  various  departments  of 
literature,  science,  and  the  arts."  "  Such  communica- 
tions," said  the  committee,  "  would  tend  to  keep  ahve  the 
public  attention,  and  to  animate  the  friends  of  the  Athe- 
ngeum  to  add  to  the  value  of  this  great  treasure  of  ancient 
and  modern  learning.  They  may  tend  likewise  to  dispose 
the  minds  of  the  commmiity  to  assist  in  erecting  a  building 
for  the  accommodation  of  the  institution  in  its  various  de- 
partments, accordmg  to  the  plan  of  the  original  founders." 
"  A  new  one  is  requii-ed  for  the  safe  keeping  and  for  the 


THE   BOSTON   ATHElST^IJjVI.  67 

due  exhibition  of  the  books,  charts,  engravings,  &c. ;  for 
the  convenience  of  the  proprietors,  subscribers,  and  nume- 
rous visiters ;  and  as  a  monument  of  the  taste  and  munifi- 
cence of  a  town,  which  has  become,  by  the  spirit  of  its 
citizens,  the  favorite  residence  of  learning,  freedom,  and 
benevolence/' 

In  October,  the  Standing  Committee  were  authorized  to 
admit,  at  their  discretion,  any  of  the  regular  clergy  of  Bos- 
ton to  the  privileges  of  the  Athenaeum. 

At  the  annual  meeting,  in  1820,  Mr,  Lowell  having 
resigned  the  presidency,  a  new  arrangement  of  the  officers 
took  place,  but  the  same  individuals  were  retained  in  the 
board.* 

The  committee  on  the  state  of  the  institution  reported, 
that  it  was  highly  satisfactory ;  that  the  interest  of  the 
pubUc  and  the  munificence  of  individuals  had  evidently  in- 
creased ;  that  the  whole  number  of  volumes  belonging  to 
the  Athenoeum  now  amounted  to  twelve  thousand  six  hun- 
dred and  forty-seven ;  that  the  whole  number  of  volumes 
collected  under  its  roof,  available  for  the  use  of  the  propri- 
etors and  subscribers,  was  nearly  twenty  thousand;  and 
that  more  than  fom-  hundred  volumes  had  been  added  to 
the  Library,  by  the  hberal  donations  of  numerous  indi- 
viduals. 

On  the  21st  of  January,  1820,  the  legislature  of  the 
State  of  New  York  passed  an  act  authorizmg  the  Secretary 
of  State  to  cause  "to  be  delivered  to  the  Athengeum  of 
the  town  of  Boston,  a  copy  of  the  laws  of  this  State  hereto- 
fore passed,"  and  also  "  a  copy  of  the  laws  to  he  hereafter 

*  Officers  elected  in  1820,  —  President,  Josiah  Quincy;  —  Vice-President, 
James  Perkins  ;  —  Treasurer,  Nathan  Appleton ;  —  Secretary  and  Idlrarian, 
William  S.  Shaw; — Assistant  Librarian,  Micah  W.  Hill; — Trustees,  John 
Davis,  John  Lowell,  Harrison  G.  Otis,  Richard  Sullivan,  John  Richards,  Peter 
O.  Thacber,  Joseph  Tilden,  David  Sears. 


68  HISTORY   OP 

passed  at  each  succeeding  session  of  the  legislature.''^  This 
event  called  forth  an  appropriate  acknowledgment  from  the 
Trustees  at  the  tune,  and  deserves  to  be  specially  commem- 
orated for  the  wisdom  of  the  example  it  affords  to  other 
public  bodies,  in  seeking  appropriate  places  of  deposit  for  a 
continuous  series  of  documents,  Avhich  are  all-important  as 
elements  of  history,  but  can  hardly  be  preserved  complete, 
except  in  the  custody  of  public  institutions. 

At  the  annual  meeting  in  January,  1821,  no  other 
change  took  place  in  the  board  of  Trustees,  except  that,  on 
the  resignation  of  James  Perkms,  Theodore  Lyman,  Jr. 
was  elected  to  supply  the  vacancy.*  At  this  meeting,  the 
Trustees  were  authorized  to  appoint  a  committee,  consisting 
of  sLx  of  the  Trustees  and  six  of  the  'Proprietors,  for  the 
purpose  of  examining  the  Library  and  the  state  of  the  insti- 
tution, in  the  month  of  December  annually,  and  to  make 
a  report  to  the  proprietors  in  the  January  ensuing. 

During  this  and  the  preceding  year,  no  busmess  had 
been  transacted,  except  such  as  was  incidental  to  the  gen- 
eral care  of  the  property  of  the  institution.  The  inade- 
quacy of  its  resources  to  its  wants,  the  narrow  limits  of  its 
house  in  Tremont  Street,  and  the  impracticabihty  of  erecting 
any  satisfactory  edifice  on  the  scanty  land  there  belonging 
to  it,  were  universally  felt  and  lamented  by  the  proprietors  ; 
but  the  attempt  to  obtam  funds  for  remedying  the  evil 
seemed  quite  hopeless.  In  December  of  this  year,  relief 
came  in  a  way  wholly  unanticipated.  About  the  middle  of 
the  month,  a  confidential  communication  was  made  to  the 
President  of  the  institution  by  John  Lowell,  who  stated 

*  Officers  elected  ia  1821,  —  President,  Josiah  Quincy; — Vice-President, 
John  Richards; — Treasurer,  Nathan  Appleton  ; — Secretary  and  Librarian, 
William  S.  Shaw  ;  —  Assistant  hihrarian,  Joseph  Backus; — Trustees,  John 
Davis,  Harrison  G.  Otis,  Richard  Sullivan,  Peter  O.  Thachcr,  Joseph  Tilden 
David  Sears,  John  Lowell,  Theodore  Lyman,  Jr. 


THE   BOSTON   ATHENiEUM.  69 

that  a  gentleman,  with  a  liberality  as  enlarged  as  his  for- 
tune was  ample,  was  prepared  to  make  a  donation  to  the 
institution  of  a  mansion-house,  with  land  adjoining,  adequate 
to  aD  the  pm-poses  of  the  Athen?eum,  pro\ddcd  the  site 
were  acceptable  to  the  proprietors,  and  the  terms  on  Avliich 
the  grant  would  be  made  shoidd  be  acceded  to  by  them. 
A  meeting  of  the  Trustees  was,  in  conse({uence,  immediately 
called  by  the  President,  on  the  20th  of  December,  1821  ; 
and  by  their  vote  a  special  meeting  of  the  proprietors  was 
summoned  to  be  held  on  the  26th,  "  to  consider  whether 
the  Trustees  shall  be  authorized  to  erect  a  new  edifice  on 
the  site  now  owned  by  the  proprietors,  or  to  sell  or  exchange 
the  same,  and  to  purchase  or  procure  any  other  site  or 
edifice  witliin  the  tovai ;"  and,  in  the  mean  time,  three  of 
the  Trustees  were  appointed  a  committee,  jMr.  Lowell  being 
chairman,  "  to  soHcit  subscriptions  for  these  purposes." 

The  proprietors,  at  the  meeting  thus  called,  unanimously 
"  authorized  and  requested  the  Trustees  to  endeavour  to 
make  the  pm-chase  referred  to  by  Mr.  Lowell,  in  his  verbal 
communication,  if  they  are  satisfied  that  the  terms  men- 
tioned by  him  can  be  obtained;"  and  further  authorized 
them  "  to  sell  or  mortgage  the  estate  of  the  corporation, 
and  to  pledge  any  part  of  its  funds,  to  procure  the  purchase 
money ;  and  also  to  sell  any  new  shares  in  the  corporation, 
not  exceeding  one  hundred."  In  the  terms  of  the  original 
subscription,  made  in  1807,  it  was  specifically  stated,  as  an 
article  of  compact,  that  the  number  of  shares  should  not  ex- 
ceed one  hundred  and  fifty.  Mr.  Lowell,  however,  in  the 
year  1818,  during  his  presidency,  anticipating  the  necessity 
of  soon  enlarging  the  number  of  proprietors,  had  taken  the 
precaution  to  submit  to  every  indi\ddual  proprietor  a  writing, 
by  wliich  it  was  agreed  that,  for  the  purpose  of  erecting  a  new 
and  more  commodious  edifice,  the  Trustees  might  increase 
the  number  of  shares  to  an  amount  not  exceeding  one  hun- 


70  HISTORY    OF 

dred  and  fifty.  To  this  agreement,  which  is  now  extant  in 
the  archives  of  the  Athenoeum,  the.  signatures  of  the  own- 
ers of  one  hundred  and  seventeen  shares  were  affixed ; 
which,  there  bemg  no  objection  to  the  measure,  were 
deemed  a  sufficient  authority  for  passing  the  above-mention- 
ed vote  by  the  proprietors  present. 

The  Trustees,  at  a  meeting  hoklen  the  same  day, 
appomted  a  committee  to  carry  mto  effect  the  vote  of 
the  proprietors.  For  some  httle  time,  the  importance  of 
purchasing  an  estate  adjoining  that  which  had  been  so 
generously  given,  and  the  delays  mcident  to  the  examination 
of  titles  and  adjusting  the  terms  of  the  donation,  postponed 
a  communication  to  the  proprietors  "of  its  exact  nature  and 
of  the  name  of  the  donor.  It  was  soon,  however,  announced, 
that  the  Athenaeum  was  indebted  for  the  munificent  gift  of 
his  mansion-house,  in  Pearl-Street,  valued  in  the  Treasur- 
er's books  at  the  sum  of  twenty  thousand  dollars,  to  James 
Perkuis,  Esq.  His  motives,  as  expressed  in  the  deed  of 
conveyance,  were,  "  a  consideration  of  the  importance  of 
the  difi"usion  of  knowledge  to  the  hberty  and  happiness  of 
any  community,  and  of  the  beneficial  effects  of  pubhc  libra- 
ries and  reading-rooms  to  promote  this  important  end,  "and, 
also,  "  a  special  regard  to  the  Boston  Athenaeum,  which  was 
founded,  and  has  been  hitherto  supported,  on  these  princi- 
ples ;"  and  the  only  conditions  of  a  general  natui-e  inserted 
in  the  mstrument  were,  that  "  no  part  of  the  estate  herein 
conveyed  shall  ever  hereafter  be  used  as  a  tavern,  hotel, 
boarding-house,  hvery  stable,  or  for  any  other  pubhc  use, 
except  for  a  hterary  institution  ;  it  not  being  my  intention 
to  preclude  the  use  of  it  as  a  private  dwelling-house,  though 
it  is  my  wish  and  expectation,  in  making  the  grant,  that  it 
may  be  always  improved  for  public  hterary  purposes ;  but  it 
is  not  my  wish  to  bind  the  corporation,  in  all  future  times, 
to  retain  that  estate  for  the  purposes  of  an  Athenaeum, 


THE   BOSTON   ATHEN^UM.  71 

whenever  three  fourths  of  the  proprietors  may  thmk  it  for 
the  interest  of  the  institution  to  place  it  in  some  other 
situation." 

The  Uberahty  of  the  terms,  as  well  as  the  amount  of  the 
benefaction,  is  characteristic  of  the  donor.  James  Per- 
kins had  been  for  several  years  a  Trustee  and  Vice-Presi- 
dent of  the  Athen^um ;  —  he  had  perceived  its  wants,  and 
was  disposed,  from  personal  feeling  as  well  as  on  general 
grounds,  to  advance  its  interests.  His  donation  was  an  era 
m  the  progress  of  the  institution,  and  gave  a  decisive  stimu- 
lus to  its  friends  and  the  community  in  aiding  its  advance- 
ment. While  his  name  was  concealed  from  the  pubhc,  for 
the  reasons  above  alluded  to,  the  desire  of  discovering  the 
secret  was  intense  ;  and  the  Tmstees  passed  a  vote,  that 
"  the  committee,  with  Mr.  Lowell,  be  authorized  to  sohcit 
the  disclosure  of  the  means  by  which  the  estate  proposed  to 
be  conveyed  to  the  Athenaeum  has  been  offered,  with  per- 
mission to  give  to  the  pubhc  the  true  state  of  facts,  m  order 
that  an  act  of  such  unexampled  munificence  may  have  its 
due  effect  hi  promoting  among  our  citizens  a  spuit  of 
emulation,  and  thus  fostering,  by  the  most  efl&cacious  means, 
our  pubhc  institutions,  hterary,  philosophic,  and  rehgious." 
They  also  immediately  took  measures  for  preparing  the 
estate  thus  generously  given,  and  the  adjoining  one,  which 
had  been  purchased,  for  the  reception  of  the  Library. 

At  the  annual  meetmg  of  the  Proprietors,  in  January, 
1822,  the  joint  committee  of  the  Trustees  and  Proprietors 
made  their  report  upon  the  condition  of  the  Library  and  of 
the  institution  generally.  It  had  been  prepared  before  they 
were  apprized  of  the  noble  gift  of  James  Perkins,  and  its 
statements  represent  the  condition  of  the  institution  before 
any  effect  had  been  produced  by  that  donation.  Con- 
cerning the  Library,  it  stated  that  no  loss  of  books  had 
been  sustained  during  the  past  year,  and  that  the  whole 


72  HISTORY   OF 

number  belonging  to  the  proprietors  amounted  to  tivelve 
thousand  five  hundred  and  five,  beside  duplicates.  The 
committee  continued  to  represent  the  necessity  of  new 
accommodations,  the  crowded  condition  of  the  books,  the 
difficulty  of  access  to  them,  the  importance  of  resorting  to 
the  munificence  of  individuals,  and  the  discouragement  to 
donations,  when,  from  the  contracted  condition  of  the  edi- 
fice, they  were  me  vital  )ly  condemned  to  obscurity ;  and 
they  concluded  with  earnestly  recommending  to  the  pro- 
prietors the  attempt  to  raise  funds  either  by  subscription 
or  by  the  sale  of  new  shares.  The  financial  condition  of 
the  Athenasum,  at  the  end  of  the  year  1821,  was  stated  to 
be  as  follows  : 

In  various  public  stocks,  at  their  cash 

value  and  in  casli, $13,470-00 

The  real  estate  of  the  Corporation,  at  its 

cost, 10,075-18 

Books  at  their  actual  cost, 15,411-90 

$38,957-08 
The  numl^er  of  shares  was  now  only  one  hundred  and 
twenty-four.  Such  Avas  the  unpromising  state  of  the  affairs 
of  the  institution  when  the  hand  of  Mr.  Perkins  was  ex- 
tended to  its  relief. 

At  an  adjournment  of  this  annual  meeting,  the  former 
officers  were  reelected,  and  EdAvard  Everett,  Francis  C. 
Gray,  Amos  Lawrence,  and  Charles  Jackson  Avere  chosen 
to  supply  the  places  of  John  Davis,  Harrison  G.  Otis, 
Richard  Sullivan,  and  John  LoAvell,  Avho  had  resigned  their 
seats  at  the  board  of  Trustees.* 


*  Officers  chosen  in  1822,  —  President,  Josiah  Quincy  ; —  Vice-President, 
John  Richards ;  —  Treamircr,  Nathan  Appleton  ;  —  Secretary  and  Librarian, 
William  S.  Shaw  ;  —  Assistant  Librarian,  Joseph  Backus; —  Trustees,  Peter 
O.  Thacher.  Theodore  Lyman,  Jr.,  David  Sears,  Joseph  Tildcn,  Edward 
Everett,  Francis  C.  Gray,  Amos  Lawrence,  Charles  Jackson. 


THE   BOSTON   ATHENiEUM.  73 

At  the  same  time,  the  Trustees  were  authorized,  if  they 
deemed  that  the  interests  of  the  institution  required  it,  to 
put  the  office  of  Librarian  into  commission  ;  which  they  did 
on  a  communication  by  the  President  of  a  letter  from  Mr. 
Shaw,  expressing  a  wish,  on  account  of  the  state  of  liis 
health,  that  such  a  measure  should  be  adopted.  Octavius 
Pickering  was  accordingly  appouited  to  take  charge  of  the 
Library  as  Commissioner.  An  entire  new  code  of  by-laws, 
having  been  prepared  by  the  Trustees  and  submitted  to  the 
Proprietors,  was  adopted  by  them  in  February  of  this  year 
(1822).  An  abstract  of  it  is  here  given,  as  exhibiting  the 
spirit  of  the  institution  at  this  date. 

"RULES   AND   REGULATIONS   OF   THE   BOSTON 
ATHEN^UM. 

"CHAPTER    I. 
"  MEETINGS,  ELECTIONS,  AND    DUTIES    OF    OFFICEKS. 

"  §  1.  Annual  meetings  of  the  Proprietors  to  be  held  on  the 
first  Monday  of  January,  at  five  o'clock,  P.  M.  —  2.  Five  days' 
notice  of  the  annual  meeting  to  be  given  by  the  Secretary  in 
two  Boston  newspapers,  and  also  by  a  printed  billet  sent  to 
each  proprietor.  Any  meeting  may  be  continued  by  adjourn- 
ment, the  Secretary  giving  one  day's  notice  in  one  newspaper. 
—  3.  Officers  to  be  chosen  by  ballot  at  the  annual  meeting, 
viz.  a  President,  Vice-President,  Treasurer,  and  nine  Trustees, 
(all  to  be  proprietors,)  also  a  Corresponding  and  Recording 
Secretary  ;  to  continue  in  office  till  a  new  election,  which,  if 
omitted  at  the  annual  meeting,  may  take  place  at  any  other 
legal  meeting  of  the  proprietors.  —  4.  The  President,  Vice- 
President,  and  Treasurer  to  be  ex  officio  members  of  the  board 
of  Trustees,  which  may  appoint  a  Secretary,  but  must  keep  a 
record  of  its  proceedings.  —  5.  The  President  to  preside  at 
proprietors'  meetings  ;  or,  in  his  absence,  the  Vice-President ; 
or,  in  his  absence,  one  of  the  proprietors,  specially  chosen.  — 

10 


74  HISTORY   OF 

6.  Meetings  of  the  Trustees  to  be  held  quarterly  on  the  second 
Monday  of  January,  April,  July,  and  October,  at  six  o'clock, 
P.  M,  Special  meetings  of  the  Trustees  may  be  called  by  the 
President,  Vice-President,  or  Standing  Committee.  Three 
days'  notice  of  all  meetings  of  the  Trustees  to  be  given  by  the 
Secretary  to  each  member  of  the  board  in  a  printed  billet. 
Five  Trustees  to  be  a  quorum  for  business.  —  7.  The  Trustees, 
at  their  first  meeting  in  January,  or  as  soon  after  as  may  be, 
to  choose,  for  the  year,  a  Librarian,  and,  if  deemed  necessary, 
a  Sub-Librarian  ;  and  to  fix  their  compensation.  —  8.  The 
Trustees  to  manage  all  the  affairs  of  the  institution,  in  a  man- 
ner not  repugnant  to  the  terms  of  subscription,  or  to  any  stand- 
ing regulation  adopted  by  the  proprietors  at  a  regular  meeting. 
Regulations  adopted  by  the  Trustees  to  be  in  force  until  they 
are  submitted  to  the  decision  of  the  proprietors  at  their  next 
meeting.  —  9.  The  Trustees,  at  their  discretion,  may  call  a 
meeting  of  the  proprietors,  to  be  notified  in  the  same  manner 
as  the  annual  meeting.  —  10.  The  Trustees,  at  each  quarterly 
meeting,  to  choose  three  of  their  number,  as  a  Standing  Com- 
mittee for  the  immediate  management  of  the  institution,  who 
are  to  continue  in  office  till  a  new  election  (one  of  them  in- 
specting the  Athenaeum  three  times  each  week),  and  to  report 
their  proceedings  at  the  quarterly  meetings. — 11.  The  Trustees 
to  direct  the  purchase  of  books,  which  they  may  do  by  a  com- 
mittee. — 12.  The  officers,  except  the  Librarian  and  Sub-Li- 
brarian, to  serve  without  pay  or  emolument. 

"CHAPTER  n. 

"  DUTIES    OF    THE    TREASURER. 

"  §  1*3.  He  is  to  keep  an  account  of  the  property,  and  of  all 
receipts  and  expenditures  ;  to  make  a  statement  of  the  same 
to  the  proprietors  at  the  annual  meeting,  and  to  the  Trustees 
whenever  they  require  it ;  and  he  is  to  pay  no  money  but  by 
order  of  the  Trustees,  or  of  the  majority  of  the  Standing  Com- 
mittee, acting  under  such  rules  as  the  Trustees  may  adopt. 


THE  BOSTON   ATHENiEUM.  75 

"CHAPTER   m. 
"  DUTIES    OF    THE    SECKETART. 

"§  14.  He  is  to  record  without  delay  the  proceedings  of  the 
Proprietors  and  of  the  Trustees,  as  also  the  reports  made  to 
each  body  (unless  otherwise  directed),  in  separate  books, 
which  he  is  to  bring  to  all  meetings.  He  is  to  exhibit  his 
record  to  the  Standing  Committee  as  soon  as  possible  after 
each  meeting,  and  is  to  preserve  on  file  all  letters  and  docu- 
ments belonging  to  his  department.  —  15.  He  is  to  report  to  the 
Standing  Committee  all  letters  received  by  him  in  his  official 
capacity,  and  all  other  matters,  of  his  cognizance,  relating  to 
the  institution.  —  16.  He  is  to  take  receipts  for  all  certificates 
or  tickets,  delivered  to  proprietors  or  others,  in  a  book  for  that 
purpose. 

"CHAPTER   rV. 
"  DUTIES    OF    THE    LIBRARIAN    AND    SUB-LIBRARIAN. 

"  §  17.  The  Librarian  is  to  arrange  and  preserve  the  books 
and  other  property  placed  in  the  rooms,  and  to  make  cata- 
logues of  them  ;  to  see  that  the  rules  of  the  Library  and  other 
rooms  are  observed  ;  to  do  all  other  official  duties  assigned  by 
the  Trustees  ;  and  to  be  paid  a  stated  salary  determined  by 
them.  —  18,  He  is  to  report  to  the  Standing  Committee  all 
donations,  all  letters  received,  and  all  other  matters,  of  his 
cognizance,  concerning  the  institution.  —  19.  He  is  to  report 
any  offence  against  good  order  to  the  Standing  Committee, 
who  may  suspend  the  privileges  of  the  offender  till  the  case  is 
submitted  to  the  Trustees  at  their  next  meeting.  —  20.  The 
Sub-Librarian  is  charged  with  all  the  duties  of  the  Librarian  in 
his  absence,  or  whenever  the  office  is  vacant. 

"CHAPTER   V. 
"  RIGHTS    AND    PRIVILEGES    OF    PROPRIETORS    AND    SUBSCRIBERS. 

"  <^  21.  Proprietors  and  life  subscribers  are  to  be  furnished 
with  sealed  certificates  of  their  property,  signed  by  the  Presi- 
dent and  Secretary,  in  a  form  to  be  prescribed  by  the  Trustees. 


76  HISTORY   OF 

— 22.  Proprietors  and  subscribers  are  each  to  be  furnished  with 
a  ticket,  signed  by  the  President  or  Vice-President,  and  by  the 
Secretary,  in  a  form  to  be  prescribed  by  the  Trustees.  — 
23.  Each  proprietor  is  entitled  to  two  transferable  tickets 
(besides  his  own),  valid  during  his  proprietorship.  —  24.  No 
transfer  of  a  share  is  valid,  till  written  evidence  of  it  is  lodged 
with  the  Secretary,  the  old  certificate  being  first  given  up,  or 
shown  to  be  lost.  For  the  benefit  of  the  institution,  two  dollars 
are  to  be  received  by  the  Secretary  for  each  transfer.  —  25.  A 
transfer  of  a  ticket,  in  order  to  be  valid,  must  be  for  not  less 
than  a  year,  and  must  be  recorded  by  the  Secretary  in  a  book 
for  the  purpose.  — 26.  Proprietors  and  life  subscribers  may  in- 
troduce, personally  or  by  writing,  any  stranger  whose  home  is 
not  within  twenty  miles  of  Boston,  the  name  of  the  stranger  and 
that  of  the  introducer  (who  is  held  responsible  for  the  observ- 
ance of  the  rules)  being  entered  together  in  a  book  for  the 
purpose.  Any  number  of  persons,  accompanying  a  proprietor 
or  life  subscriber,  may  be  admitted.  — 27.  Any  proprietor  or 
subscriber,  injuring  the  property  or  breaking  the  rules,  is  to  be 
excluded  by  the  Standing  Committee  till  the  case  is  acted  upon 
by  the  Trustees  at  their  next  meeting.  —  28.  Visiters  holding 
a  transferred  ticket,  and  annual  subscribers,  must  sign  an  en- 
gagement not  to  remove  from  the  rooms,  nor  to  injure,  any 
article  of  property  ;  and  not  to  violate  any  rule,  on  penalty  of 
the  legal  forfeitures.  —  29.  Rights  and  shares  in  the  institu- 
tion are  indivisible. 

"CHAPTER  VI. 

"  ADMISSION    TO    THE    KOOMS. 

"  §  30.  The  Trustees  may  give  tickets  of  admission  to  per- 
sons residing  out  of  Boston,  who  have  made  a  donation  to  the 
amount  of  fifty  dollars.  —  31.  The  Trustees,  or  a  majority  of 
the  Standing  Committee,  may  give  tickets  to  the  clergy  of 
Boston.  —  32.  The  Governor,  Lieutenant-Governor,  Council, 
Senate,  and  House  of  Representatives  ;  the  Judges  of  the  Su- 
preme Court  and  of  the  United  States'  Courts ;  the  Presidents 


THE   BOSTON  ATHENiEUM.  77 

and  Professors  of  Harvard  College  and  of  the  Andover  Theo- 
logical Institution  ;  the  Presidents  of  the  American  Academy, 
of  the  Massachusetts  Historical,  Medical,  and  Agricultural  So- 
cieties, of  the  Salem  Athenaeum,  and  of  the  East  India  Marine 
Society,  shall  be  honorary  members  of  the  institution.  — 
33.  The  Tutors,  other  officers,  and  resident  graduates  of  Har- 
vard College  and  of  the  Andover  Theological  Institution  may 
use  the  library  and  reading-room. 

"CHAPTER  Vn. 

"  MISCELLANEOUS    ARTICLES. 

"  §  34.  The  rooms  are  to  be  kept  open  every  day  except 
Sunday,  till  9  o'clock,  P.  M. ;  from  6  o'clock,  A.  M.  in  June, 
July  and  August,  and  from  8  o'clock,  A.  M.  during  the  rest  of 
the  year.  The  Trustees  may  direct  them  to  be  kept  open  at 
other  times.  —  35.  New  books  to  be  kept  on  the  tables  long 
enough  for  their  perusal.  —  36.  No  book  or  other  article  to  be 
carried  out  of  the  rooms  on  any  pretext.  Offenders,  if  propri- 
etors, forfeit  their  rights  for  one  year ;  if  annual  subscribers, 
their  subscription.  —  37.  A  complete  Catalogue  of  all  books 
and  pamphlets  to  be  kept  in  the  rooms.  —  38.  Conversation  in 
the  reading-room  not  allowed,  —  39.  Stationery  for  taking 
notes  to  be  furnished  by  the  institution.  —  40.  Any  proprie- 
tor or  subscriber  may  propose  the  purchase  of  any  book,  in  a 
record-book  kept  for  that  purpose. — 41.  Donors'  names  to  be 
inscribed  in  or  upon  books  given,  as  the  Trustees  may  direct.  — 
42.  All  donations  of  books  or  other  property  to  be  recorded 
in  a  book  kept  by  the  Secretary  for  that  purpose,  and  donations 
to  be  published  on  a  tablet  suspended  in  the  principal  reading- 
room.  —  43.  Donations  to  be  applied  according  to  the  wish  of 
the  donor,  if  expressed ;  otherwise  at  the  discretion  of  the 
Trustees.  —  44.  No  article,  not  the  property  of  the  Athenaeum, 
to  be  deposited  in  the  rooms,  unless  accepted  by  the  Trustees, 
and  at  the  owner's  risk.  —  45.  Annual  subscribers  admitted 
for  eighteen  dollars,  on  such  conditions  as  the  Trustees  may 
settle.     No  subscription  for  less  than  a  year.     Subscription 


78  HISTORY   OF 

money  to  be  paid  to  the  Librarian,  or,  in  his  absence,  to  the 
Sub-Librarian,  who  will  account  to  the  Treasurer.  —  46.  An 
annual  examination  of  the  institution  to  be  made,  at  least  fifteen 
days  before  the  annual  meeting,  by  a  committee,  appointed  by 
the  Trustees,  of  six  Trustees  and  six  Proprietors,  who  are  to 
report  at  the  annual  meeting  on  all  its  concerns  except  those 
of  the  Treasurer's  department.  —  47,  All  former  by-laws  re- 
pealed, saving  the  recovery  of  penalties  incurred  under  them." 

In  the  month  of  June,  1822,  the  books  and  other 
property  of  the  institution  were  removed  from  the  house  in 
Tremont  Street  to  the  newly  acquired  building  in  Pearl 
Street.  The  newspapers  and  periodical  publications  were 
arranged  in  the  reading-room ;  the  scientific  journals,  and 
the  volumes  of  newspapers  were  placed  in  separate  apart- 
ments, so  as  best  to  facilitate  reference ;  the  books  were 
distributed  into  twelve  principal  classes,  each  class  occupy- 
ing one  room.  Those  classes  were  distributed  into  as  many 
minor  divisions  as  the  subjects  rendered  necessary,  each 
minor  division  occupying  one  case.  This  arrangement  was 
deemed  proper  by  the  Trustees,  having  reference  to  per- 
manent utility,  notwithstanding  that  the  deficiency  of  books 
in  many  of  the  classes  gave  to  some  of  the  cases  and  rooms 
a  naked  appearance.  Means  of  ready  access  to  the  books 
was  thus  furnished  to  the  proprietors  and  subscribers,  and 
means  of  ready  arrangement  in  their  respective  classes  as 
the  number  of  books  increased.  This,  the  Trustees  confi- 
dently anticipated,  would  amount  to  eighty  or  one  hundred 
thousand  volumes  in  the  course  of  the  present  century. 

At  the  same  time,  the  Trustees  took  measures  to  have  a 
new  Catalogue  of  the  Library  prepared  under  their  super- 
intendence ;  and  to  number  the  rooms,  the  cases,  and  the 
shelves,  for  facilitating  classification  and  research. 

James  Perkins  did  not  long  survive  to  Avitness  the  estab- 


THE   BOSTON  ATHEN^UM.  79 

lishment  and  flourishing  of  the  institution  in  the  new  seat 
which  his  bounty  had  provided  for  it.  At  his  death,  which 
occurred  on  the  first  day  of  August  of  this  year,  a  meet- 
ing of  the  Trustees  was  immediately  called,  and  a  vote 
was  unanimously  passed,  expressive  of  their  sorrow  at  the 
event,  and  declaring  that  "  they  are  deeply  impressed  with 
the  great  and  numerous  services  which  that  distinguished 
gentleman  and  merchant  had  rendered  to  the  community 
at  large,  and,  in  particular,  they  shall  always  remember 
with  pecuhar  gratitude  and  delight  that  act  of  remarkable 
munificence  to  which  this  institution  is  indebted  for  its 
present  spacious  and  splendid  accommodations."  Desirous 
of  showing  their  respect  to  the  memory  of  Mr.  Perkins, 
they  asked  permission  of  the  family  to  be  present  at  his 
funeral,  which  they  attended.  They  also  appointed  a  com- 
mittee to  cause  a  portrait  of  their  benefactor  to  be  copied 
by  Gilbert  Stuart,  from  his  original  painting  in  the  posses- 
sion of  Mrs.  Perkins,  for  which  the  sum  of  three  hundred 
dollars  was  appropriated. 

It  appears  from  the  record  of  a  subsequent  meeting  of 
the  Proprietors,  that  all  these  proceedings  of  the  Trustees 
received  their  hearty  sanction,  but  that  the  appropriation 
for  the  payment  of  the  artist  had  become  unnecessary,  a 
sum  adequate  for  that  object  having  been  readily  subscribed 
by  several  of  the  Proprietors. 

The  gift  of  Mr.  Perkins  to  the  Athenaeum  was  so  timely, 
so  munificent,  and  so  decisive  in  stamping  it  with  the  char- 
acter of  a  permanent  public  institution,  that  his  name  de- 
serves to  be  held  in  honorable  association  with  those  of 
the  founders,  whose  design  he  did  so  much  to  carry  out. 
The  events  of  his  life,  and  the  prominent  features  of  his 
mind,  will  ever  be  natural  objects  of  grateful  inquiry  to 
the  future  friends  of  the  Athenaeum ;  and  it  is  deemed 
no  unfitting  tribute  to  his  memory,  to  perpetuate,  in  this 


80  HISTORY   OF 

history,  the  following  obituary  notice,  which  appeared,  soon 
after  his  death,  in  one  of  the  public  journals  of  Boston,*  and 
in  wliich  his  virtues  and  fortunes  are  happily  and  faithfully 
delineated  by  one,  who  was  well  acquainted  with  both. 

"THE    LATE    JAMES    PERKINS,    ESQ. 

"  The  character  of  Mr.  Perkins,  whose  loss  we  have  just 
been  called  to  deplore,  is  too  well  known  to  his  friends  and 
the  community  to  need  an  elaborate  eulogium.  It  was, 
however,  so  strongly  marked  with  the  most  valuable  quali- 
ties, as  to  demand  this  tribute  of  respect  from  those  who 
survive  him.  Mr.  Perkins  was  certainly  the  last  man  who 
would  himself  have  wished  for  posthumous  commendation, 
and  there  is  none  whose  delicacy  would  sooner  have  been 
alarmed  at  the  proposal  of  it.  We  owe  it,  however,  to  our- 
selves, to  show  that  we  were  not  insensible  to  his  worth, 
and  that  we  are  not  indifferent  to  his  loss.  And  while  his 
real  and  most  eloquent  eulogy  is  to  be  sought  in  the  course 
of  an  industrious,  honorable,  and  most  useful  Ufe,  it  is  due 
to  the  virtues  he  practised,  to  the  example  he  set,  to  the 
noble  standard  of  character  on  which  he  acted,  not  to  be 
entirely  silent,  now  that  nothing  remains  of  them  but  their 
honored  memory. 

"  Mr.  Perkins  very  early  engaged  in  commercial  pur- 
suits. He  had  received  in  boyhood,  under  the  care  of  an 
excellent  mother,  the  preparatory  instruction  which  might 
have  fitted  him  for  an  academical  education  ;  but  the  ap- 
proach of  the  revolutionary  war,  and  the  discouraging 
aspect  of  the  times,  dictated  the  commercial  career  as  the 
more  prudent.  It  is  in  the  remembrance  of  his  early 
friends,  that  Mr.  Perkins,  while  a  boy,  distinguished  him- 
self as  the  commander  of  a  mihtary  company  composed  of 

*  The  "  Boston  Daily  Advertiser,"  for  August  6th,  1822. 


THE   BOSTON   ATHEN^UM.  81 

his  playfellows,  whose  manoeuvres  attracted  the  notice  of 
the  officers  of  the  British  garrison  here,  for  their  soldier-hke 
precision ;  and  it  is  worthy  of  remark,  that  many  of  the 
members  of  this  youthful  corps  became  officers  of  note  and 
merit  in  the  revolutionary  war.  The  inclination  of  their 
youthful  commander  pointed  him  to  the  army ;  but,  being 
controlled  in  this  by  his  only  surviving  parent,  he  was 
placed  in  the  counting-house  of  the  Messrs.  Shattuck. 
He  gave  an  early  and  striking  indication  of  his  aptitude  for 
commercial  pursuits  by  the  zeal  with  which  he  engaged, 
of  his  own  motion,  in  the  study  of  the  method  of  double 
entry  (then  but  httle  known  in  this  country),  which  had 
accidentally  attracted  his  notice,  and  which,  though  but  an 
apprentice,  he  introduced,  at  his  own  request,  into  the 
books  of  the  house  in  which  he  was  placed.  Scarcely  was 
he  of  age  when  he  established  himself  in  business  in  St. 
Domingo,  toward  the  close  of  the  revolutionary  war,  where 
he  remained  till  the  troubles  in  that  colony  began.  Having 
been  forced  to  escape  in  the  night  from  the  country-house 
of  the  Marquis  de  Rouvray,  in  whose  family  he  was  an 
inmate,  he  took  refuge  at  Fort  Dauphin,  and  shortly  re- 
turned to  his  native  town.  It  deserves,  perhaps,  to  be 
particularized,  as  a  mark  of  the  promptness  of  commercial 
enterprise  which  distinguished  him,  that  he  was  on  board 
and  intrusted  with  the  Charlotte,  wliich  formed  the  leading 
case  in  the  captures  made  at  that  time  by  the  British  govern- 
ment, and  which  was  tried  and  condemned  at  Antigua,  for 
pursuing  in  time  of  war  a  colonial  trade  not  lawful  in  peace. 
Returned  to  Boston,  and  united  in  a  commercial  house 
with  his  brother,  Mr.  Thomas  H=  Perkins,  now  the  senior 
surviving  partner,  Mr.  Perkins  engaged  extensively  in  the 
trade  to  the  North-west  coast  and  to  Canton.  Of  the 
former  trade,  well  known  to  have  been  almost  exclusively 
in  the  hands  of  the  merchants  of  the  Northern  and  Middle 
11 


82  HISTORY   OF 

States  of  America,  as  great  a  portion  was  probably  con- 
ducted by  the  Messrs.  Perkins,  as  -by  any  other  house  ;  and 
it  may  perhaps  be  safely  stated,  that,  down  to  the  present 
day,  no  private  commercial  house  in  the  world  has  been 
more  extensively  engaged  in  the  trade  to  Canton.  In  the 
duties  devolving  upon  the  house  by  these  extensive  trans- 
actions, Mr.  Perkins  ever  bore  a  full  share,  and  was  dis- 
tinguished at  once  for  the  large  scale  on  which  his  operations 
were  planned,  and  for  the  remarkable  and  ever  anxious 
precision  with  which  he  superintended  their  smallest  details. 
To  go  more  minutely  into  particulars,  though  it  would  furn- 
ish many  anecdotes  of  interest  to  his  friends,  and  innume- 
rable proofs  of  his  various  excellent  qualities,  would  exceed 
the  limits  of  a  notice  like  the  present. 

"  It  is  unnecessary  to  say,  that  the  point  of  \dew  in  which 
Mr.  Perkins's  character  ought  to  be  surveyed,  is  that  of  an 
upright  merchant.  This,  in  our  country,  is  certainly  the 
character  of  greatest  importance  in  the  community.  Di- 
vested by  our  political  institutions  of  an  hereditary  nobility, 
in  which  fortunes  are  transmitted  by  descent,  it  unavoidably 
follows  that  the  chief  influence  in  society  is  thrown  into  the 
hands  of  those  whose  pursuits  alone  admit  of  the  accumular 
tion  of  ample  fortunes.  The  merchant's  profession,  as  ex- 
hibited in  the  Hfe  of  Mr.  Perkins,  was  well  worthy  of  the 
weight  which  the  constitution  of  society  gives  it  among  us, 
and  rose  very  far  above  a  mere  grasping  zeal  for  the  accu- 
mulation of  money.  In  the  long  course  of  transactions,  as 
numerous  and  as  various  as  an  individual  can  easily  be 
connected  with,  —  in  enterprises  extending  over  the  habit- 
able globe,  employing  thousands  of  agents,  constantly  in- 
volving fortunes  in  their  result,  and  requiring,  on  many 
occasions  necessarily  incident  to  business  of  tliis  extent,  no 
secondary  degree  of  firmness  and  courage,  and,  above  all, 
in  the  temptation,  which  must  so  often  present  itself,  to  take 


THE   BOSTON   ATHEN^UM.  83 

short  roads  to  wealth,  —  not  a  shadow  of  suspicion  of  any 
thing  derogatory  to  the  highest  and  purest  sense  of  honor 
and  conscience  ever  attached  to  his  conduct ;  and  he  may 
be  quoted  as  one  of  the  few,  who  pass  through  life  without 
spot  or  blemish.  The  character  of  such  a  man  ought  to  be 
held  up  for  imitation.  The  future  condition  of  our  country 
will  depend  not  a  little  on  the  qualities  of  character  which 
predominate  in  the  wealthiest  portion  of  society.  Every 
instance  of  a  life  like  Mr.  Perkins's  is  a  pledge  of  its  pros- 
perity and  honor ;  and  a  pledge  that  ought  to  be  cherished 
with  tenderness  and  zeal  in  times  like  these,  when  suspicions 
are  allowed  to  attach  to  the  merchant's  character,  which, 
whether  true  or  false,  convey  equal  reproach. 

"  The  ample  fortune,  which  Mr.  Perkins  acquired  in  this 
honorable  manner,  was  appropriated  to  ends  as  honorable  ; 
to  promoting  the  best  interests  of  society.  His  zeal  in  serv- 
ing his  friends  was,  in  many  instances,  carried  even  to  an 
extreme  ;  and,  while  his  efforts  of  this  kind  were  such  as 
few  would  make,  he  was  outdone  by  none  in  his  readiness 
for  every  call  of  judicious  charity.  His  liberal  donations  to 
the  General  Hospital,  and  to  the  Theological  School  of 
Cambridge  University,  are  well  known  ;  and  his  late  mu- 
nificent gift  to  the  Athenaeum,  (a  gift  which  cannot  be 
estimated  at  less  than  $18,000),  is  fresh  in  the  pubhc 
recollection.  In  addition  to  these  acts  of  liberality,  it  is 
understood  that  Mr.  Perkins  has  made  testamentary  provi- 
sion for  a  donation  of  twenty  thousand  dollars  to  the  Uni- 
versity at  Cambridge.  To  enumerate  every  instance  of 
distinguished  hberahty  on  his  part,  would  be  to  repeat  the 
list  of  calls  on  the  affluent  and  generous  in  our  community, 
which  is  certainly  among  those  least  remarkable  for  the 
rarity  of  these  calls. 

"  The  natural  disposition  of  Mr.  Perkins  was  retired  and 
unambitious.     He  studiously  avoided  every  caU  of  political 


84  HISTORY    OP 

life ;  and,  while  the  general  esteem  in  which  he  was  held  by 
the  pubhc,  and  his  well  known  integrity  and  consistency  as 
a  politician,  would  have  made  his  access  easy  to  the  highest 
political  offices  in  the  gift  of  his  fellow-citizens,  a  natural 
reserve  of  feeling  led  him  to  keep  entirely  aloof.  He  was, 
however,  ready  on  all  occasions,  by  every  species  of  honor- 
able and  active  exertion,  to  contribute  to  the  influence  of 
what  he  esteemed  sound  pohtical  views ;  and  was  surpassed 
by  few,  if  any,  in  weight  of  pohtical  character,  in  the  re- 
spectable circle  in  which  he  moved. 

"  Though  brought  up  as  a  merchant,  and  at  all  times 
actively  engaged  in  the  duties  of  his  caUing,  Mr.  Perkins 
had  a  strong  taste  for  reading,  and  possessed  a  highly  ma- 
tured and  well-Lnformed  mind.  He  formed,  in  early  hfe,  a 
very  familiar  acquaintance  with  pohte  hterature,  particularly 
the  English  poets,  and  contmued  to  devote  his  leisure  to 
the  perusal  of  the  standard  writers  of  the  English  and 
French  languages.  It  was  in  this  manner,  that  his  taste  led 
him  to  employ  the  time  too  often  wasted  by  merchants  in 
the  gossip  of  the  exchange  and  the  insurance  offices.  The 
consequences  of  his  extensive  reading  were  an  unusually 
matm'e  and  judicious  style  of  writing ;  and  there  are  few, 
even  of  those  who  are  led  more  directly  by  profession  to 
cultivate  the  art  of  writing,  who  were  able  to  express  them- 
themselves  -with  greater  strength,  clearness,  and  ease. 

"  Mr.  Perkins  was,  in  fine,  a  man  of  uncommon  force 
and  elevation  of  mind.  The  least  estimable  portion  of  his 
character  was  known  to  those  who  knew  him  only  as  a  mer- 
chant, high  and  honorable  as  he  was  in  this  capacity.  His 
temper  and  taste  were  retired  and  domestic  ;  his  virtues 
were  those  of  the  fireside  ;  and  his  whole  character  was  of 
that  gentleness  and  simphcity  which  fit  a  man  rather  for 
social,  friendly,  and  family  enjoyment,  than  for  the  bustle  of 
the  world.     A  slender  constitution,  requiring  unremitted 


THE   BOSTON   ATHEN^UM.  85 

care,  conspired  in  this  respect  with  his  feeUngs,  and  led  him 
to  seek  his  pleasures  more  exclusively  at  home,  than  his 
liberal  and  enlarged  spirit  might  otherwise  have  dictated. 
It  is  those  only  who  knew  him  in  this  sphere  and  in  the  tender 
relations  of  domestic  life,  that  are  able  fully  to  bear  witness 
how  good  and  excellent  a  man  is  taken  from  us. 

"  Though  never  unprepared  for  that  event  which  his 
infirm  health  rendered  in  some  degree  always  impending, 
Mr.  Perkins's  decease  was  at  last  sudden,  and  found  every 
one  but  himself  unprepared  for  the  event.  During  the  two 
or  three  days  that  he  survived  the  attack  which  proved 
fatal,  —  in  the  certainty  of  impending  dissolution,  and  under 
the  application  of  painful  remedies, — he  retained,  undisturb- 
ed, the  perfect  possession  of  his  reason,  and  an  unclouded 
composure  of  spirits.  Having  exhibited  in  his  life  the  best 
fruits  of  religious  principles,  the  close  of  his  life  was  peace- 
ful and  tranquil.  No  one  had  more  to  make  him  love  and 
cling  to  life,  —  wealth  and  respect  abroad,  and  happiness  at 
home.  But  he  resigned  it  all  without  a  sigh  or  miu'mm- ; 
and  has  left  few  behind  who  could,  in  the  hour  of  extreme 
trial,  appeal  more  securely  to  '  the  testimony  of  an  approv- 
insr  conscience.'  " 


86  HISTORY   OF 


CHAPTER  IV. 

A  COLLECTION  OF  PAINTINGS  AND  SCULPTURE  COMMENCED  —  MEAS- 
URES FOR  ESTABLISHING  ANNUAL  COURSES  OF  LECTURES  —  UNION 
OF  king's  chapel  LIBRARY  AND  THE  THEOLOGICAL  LIBRARY  WITH 
THE   ATHEN^UM  —  A   PORTION    OF   THE   LIBRARY   PERMITTED   TO   BE 

CIRCULATED THE   SCIENTIFIC  LIBRARY  AND    THE   BOSTON   MEDICAL 

LIBRARY    UNITED    WITH     THE    ATHENiSUM PLAN    FOR    ERECTING    A 

BUILDING  FOR  THE  EXHIBITION  OF  WORKS  OF  ART,  AND  FOR  A 
LECTURE-ROOM — DIFFICULTIES  ATTENDING  ITS  EXECUTION — LIB- 
ERAL OFFERS  OF  THOMAS  HANDASYD  PERKINS  AND  JAMES  PERKINS 
—  CONSEQUENT  GREAT  ENLARGEMENT  OF  THE  FUNDS  OF  THE 
INSTITUTION. 

At  the  annual  meeting  of  the  Proprietors,  in  January, 
1823,  great  changes  were  made  in  the  board  of  Trustees, 
partly  in  consequence  of  resignations,  and  partly  from  a 
diversity  of  views  in  relation  to  the  conduct  of  the  institu- 
tion.* 

The  portrait  of  James  Perkins,  "  painted  by  Stuart  in 
his  best  manner,"  having  been  hung  in  one  of  the  rooms 
of  the  Athenaeum,  and  the  institution  being  now  in  posses- 
sion, through  the  liberality  of  Mr.  Augustus  Thorndike,  of 
a  truly  valuable  collection  of  casts  of  the  most  celebrated 
statues  of  antiquity,  these  were  placed,  by  the  vote  of 
the  Trustees,  in  the  same  room  with  the  portrait  of  Mr. 
Perkins.  This  was  the  commencement  of  that  large  col- 
lection of  works  of  art,  which  now  constitutes  one  of  the 
most  interesting  departments  of  the  Athenaeum. 

*  Officers  elected  in  1823.  —  President,  Josiah  Quincy ;  —  Vice-President, 
Peter  O.  Thacher; — Treasurer,  Nathan  Appleton  ;  —  Secretary,  William  S. 
Shaw; — Trustees,  Theodore  Lyman,  Jr.,  Edward  Everett,  Francis  C.  Gray, 
Amos  Lawrence,  Henry  Codman,  Samuel  Swett,  William  Sturgis,  Thomas 
Wigglesworth,  George  Ticknor ;  —  Assistant  Librarian,  Joseph  Backus. 


THE   BOSTON   ATHEN^UM.  87 

At  this  meeting,  the  Proprietors  sanctioned  the  sale  of 
the  estate  in  Tremont  Street,  for  nine  thousand  dollars. 

A  project  about  this  time  began  to  be  agitated  of  at- 
taching a  room  to  the  Athenaeum,  to  be  used  for  public 
lectures  under  the  auspices  of  the  institution ;  and  a  com- 
mittee was  appointed  to  take  the  subject  into  considera- 
tion, and  to  report  the  cost  of  a  room,  and  the  principles 
on  which  a  subscription  at  large  might  be  effected  for 
that  object.  Of  this  committee,  John  Lowell  was  appointed 
chairman. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Proprietors  in  the  ensuing  Febru- 
ary, the  committee  reported  in  favor  of  making  provision 
for  annual  courses  of  lectures  on  various  branches  of  hter- 
ature  and  science,  in  connection  with  the  Athenaeum  ;  but, 
as  no  part  of  the  funds  of  the  corporation  could  be  ap- 
plied to  that  object,  if  a  subscription  could  be  obtained  for 
the  erection  of  a  suitable  building,  in  their  opinion  it  would 
be  proper  and  for  the  interest  of  the  Athenaeum  to  give  a 
part  of  its  land  for  such  an  edifice,  the  fee  simple  to  belong 
to  the  corporation,  and  to  be  held  in  trust  for  the  purposes 
expressed.  The  terms  of  the  subscription  having  been  pro- 
posed and  adopted,  and  also  measures  to  carry  the  plan  into 
effect,  at  a  meeting  of  the  Proprietors,  in  the  following 
month  of  May,  a  subscription  was  reported  to  have  been 
obtained  to  the  amount  of  four  thousand  three  hundred 
dollars ;  whereupon  the  Treasurer  of  the  Athenaeum  was 
instructed  to  collect  the  sums  subscribed,  and  a  committee 
was  chosen  to  superintend  the  erection  of  the  edifice.* 

This  committee  consisted  of  three  persons,  Theodore  Ly- 


*  By  the  terms,  a  subscription  of  $300  gave  a  title  to  a  full  share  in  the 
Athenseum  ;  a  subscription  of  $100  procured  the  privileges  of  a  life-subscriber, 
and,  if  $200  more  should  be  paid  before  April  1st,  1828,  a  full  share  vi^ould  be 
secured.  When  the  sum  of  $4000  should  be  obtained,  a  committee  was  to  pro- 
ceed, first,  to  erect  the  building,  and  then  to  purchase  chemical  and  philosophical 


88 


HISTORY    OF 


man,  Jr.,  on  the  part  of  the  Trustees ;  on  the  part  of  the 
Proprietors,  Henry  S.  Dearborn  ;  and,  on  the  part  of  the 
new  subscribers,  Lewis  Tappan.  On  the  9th  of  June  they 
reported  to  the  Proprietors,  that  the  sum  akeady  subscri- 
bed was  not  in  their  opinion  sufficient  to  erect  a  buUding 
suitable  for  the  purpose,  and  that  they  deemed  it  advis- 
able a  further  sum  should  be  obtained  by  way  of  loan. 
To  this  measure  the  Proprietors  were  not  prepared  to 
accede ;  they  therefore  recommitted  the  whole  subject  to 
the  former  committee  on  subscriptions,  of  which  Mr.  Lowell 
was  chairman. 

In  the  summer  of  this  year,  the  Library  of  King's  Chapel, 
and  the  Theological  Library,  belonging  to  the  Boston  As- 
sociation of  Ministers,  were  deposited  in  the  Athenaeum  ; 


apparatus,  applying-  whatever  surplus  there  might  be  to  the  enlargement  of  the 
Library. 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  subscription  list,  as  afterwards  increased  to 
S4,600,  the  greater  part  of  which  consisted  of  donations  in  money,  without 
regard  to  the  acquisition  of  shares. 


Nathaniel  Amory 
Nathan  Appleton 
Charles  Barnard 
Joseph  P.  Bradlee 
Josiah  Bradlee 
Peter  C.  Brooks 
John  Bryant 
Benjamin  Bussey 
Charles  R.  Codman 
Henry  A.  S.  Dearborn 
John  Dorr 
Ebenezer  Francis 
Francis  C.  Gray 
John  C.  Gray 
Gardiner  Greene 
David  Henshaw 
Henderson  Inches 
Patrick  T.  Jackson 
Amos  Lawrence 
Edward  J.  Lowell 
John  Lowell 
Theodore  Lyman,  Jr. 
John  Maclean 
Isaac  Mansfield 
Israel  Munson 
Samuel  G.  Perkins 
Thomas  H.  Perkins 


%  50 
50 
50 
50 
50 

300 
50 
50 
50 
25 

300 
50 
50 
50 

100 
50 
50 

100 
50 

100 

200 
50 

100 

100 

100 
50 

300 


William  Phillips 

$200 

William  Pratt 

50 

William  Prescott 

50 

William  H.  Prescott 

50 

Josiah  Quincy 

50 

John  Randall 

100 

Henry  Rice 

50 

John  Richards 

50 

Jeflery  Richardson 

50 

David  Sears 

100 

George  C.  Shattuck 

50 

Robert  G.  Shaw 

SO 

William  Sturgis 

50 

Samuel  Swett 

50 

Charles  Tappan 

100 

John  Tappan 

100 

Lewis  Tappan 

50 

Israel  Thorndike 

300 

George  Ticknor 

50 

Richard  D.  Tucker 

50 

Thomas  B.  Wales 

300 

Thomas  W.  Ward 

50 

Samuel  Whitwell,  Jr. 

50 

Thomas  Wigglesworth 

50 

Timothy  Williams 

25 

$4,600 


THE    BOSTON    ATHEN^UM.  89 

the  ministers  of  King's  Chapel  and  the  present  proprietors 
of  the  Theological  Library  being  entitled  to  the  privilege 
of  Hfe  subscribers  so  long  as  their  books  respectively  should 
remain  thus  deposited,  and  the  books  being  subject  to  all 
the  regulations  of  the  Athenaeum.  These  Hbraries  made 
an  addition  of  tliirteen  hundred  volumes,  some  of  them 
rare  works. 

In  this  year,  by  a  change  of  the  laws,  the  price  of  an 
annual  subscription  was  reduced  from  eighteen  dollars  to 
ten,  and  proprietors'  tickets  were  made  transferable  for  any 
period  from  three  months  to  one  year.  An  insurance  on 
the  buildings  for  ten  thousand  dollars  was  eflFected,  and  for 
the  same  sum  on  the  books  and  other  personal  property. 
The  privileges  of  a  life  subscriber  were  conferred  on  Gil- 
bert Stuart,  "as  a  testimony  of  respect  for  his  eminent 
talents  "  ;  the  same  privileges  ha^dng  been  voted  the  year 
before  to  Solomon  Willard,  for  "  the  taste  and  skill  with 
which  the  alterations  in  the  Athenaeum  were  planned  and 
executed." 

At  the  annual  meeting  of  the  Proprietors,  in  January, 
1824,  the  Standing  Committee  of  the  Trustees  reported, 
beside  the  above-mentioned  deposit,  an  increase  in  books  by 
the  gift  of  four  hundred  and  twelve  volumes,  exceeding  the 
number  given  in  any  fonner  year  ;  and  also,  that  during  the 
past  year  a  new  manuscript  catalogue  of  the  Library  had 
been  completed,  and  the  books  had  been  arranged  on  the  most 
approved  plan.  They  also  stated  the  whole  number  of  books 
to  he  fourteen  thousand  eigJit  hundred  and  twenty,  including 
the  volumes  of  newspapers  and  magazines,  which  were  two 
thousand  six  hundred  and  forty-two  ;  that  the  library  had 
been  thoroughly  examined,  was  in  good  condition,  and  the 
missino;  volumes  few.  The  officers  chosen  at  this  meetino; 
were  nearly  the  same  as  those  of  the  preceding  year, 
James  Perkins,  the  son  of  the  deceased  benefactor,  being 

12 


90  HISTORY    OF 

added  in  the  place  of  Mr.  Everett,  who  decHned  a  reelec- 
tion, and  Mr.  Codman  being  appointed  Secretary  in  the 
place  of  Mr.  Shaw.* 

At  this  meeting,  Mr.  Lowell  called  for  the  reading  of  the 
report  of  the  committee  on  the  proposed  lecture  room,  made 
on  the  9th  of  Jmie  preceding  ;  and,  with  a  view  to  ascertain 
the  opinion  of  the  Proprietors  on  the  subject,  he  moved, 
"  that  the  Treasurer  be  authorized  to  return  their  money 
to  the  subscribers,  giving  notice  thereof  in  the  newspapers." 
The  question  bemg  fully  discussed,  great  doubts  on  the 
expediency  of  connecting  a  lecture  room  with  the  Athe- 
nffium  were  expressed,  and  also  a  settled  determination  not 
to  supply  the  deficiency  of  the  subscription  fund  for  that 
object  by  creating  a  loan.  Mr.  Lowell's  motion  to  return 
the  money  received  a  decided  negative  ;  and  it  was  at  last 
voted  to  call  a  meeting  of  the  subscribers  to  the  lecture 
room  in  connection  with  the  Proprietors  of  the  Athenaeum 
for  the  purpose  of  receiving  and  acting  on  a  report  of  the 
committee  on  subscriptions,  of  Avhich  Mr.  Lowell  was  chair- 
man, and  to  which  had  been  referred  the  report  of  the  commit- 
tee for  building  the  lecture  room,  on  the  9th  of  June,  1823. 

This  joint  meeting  of  the  Proprietors  and  of  the  sub- 
scribers to  the  lecture  room  took  place  on  the  2d  of  March 
ensuing  ;  and  the  report  of  the  committee,  by  Mr.  Lowell, 
their  chairman,  stated,  that,  of  the  amount  subscribed  for 
the  lecture  room  ($4,300),  five-sixths  were  to  be  regarded 
as  donations  ;  —  that  the  lowest  price  for  which  the  lecture 
room  could  be  built,  was  5200  dollars  ;  —  that  the  deficient 
sum  could  be  easily  raised  by  donations,  Avithout  affecting 


*  Officers  chosen  in  January,  1824.  — President,  Josiah  Quincy  ; —  Vice- 
President,  Peter  O.  Thacher  ;  —  Treasurer,  Nathan  Appleton  ;  —  Secretary, 
Henry  Codman;  —  Trustees,  Theodore  Lyman,  Jr.,  Francis  C.  Gray,  Amos 
Lawrence,  Henry  Codman,  Samuel  Swett,  William  Sturgis,  Thomas  Wiggles- 
worth,  George  Ticknor,  James  Perkins. 


THE   BOSTON   ATHEN^UM.  91 

any  funds  of  the  Athenaeum  ;  — that  the  sum  subscribed  was 
a  direct  gain  to  the  property  of  the  institution,  not  only  by 
the  numerical  amount  subscribed,  but  by  the  introduction  of 
new  interests  in  favor  of  the  general  establishment;  —  that 
it  was  the  known  expectation  of  the  donor  of  the  edifice 
now  owned  by  the  Athenasum,  that  a  lecture  room  would  be 
connected  with  the  building ;  and  the  committee  therefore 
recommended  that  the  building  committee  should  be  in- 
structed to  proceed  as  soon  as  the  requisite  sum  should 
be  obtained. 

This  report  was  accepted  on  a  vote  in  which  thirty-nine 
were  in  the  affirmative  and  thirteen  in  the  negative.  Tho- 
mas H.  Perkins  was  then  added  to  the  building  committee, 
who  were  authorized  to  purchase  any  land  adjoining  that  of 
the  Athenaeum,  which  they  might  deem  expedient,  and  to 
appropriate  for  that  purpose  any  portion  of  the  funds  sub- 
scribed for  the  lecture  room. 

At  an  antecedent  meeting  of  the  Proprietors  in  Feb- 
ruary, the  committee  for  examining  the  Treasurer's  ac- 
counts reported  the  funds  of  the  Athenaeum,  on  the  first 
of  January,  1824,  to  be  $61,266-21,  viz. 

In  productive  property,  ....  $24,213-02 
Estate  in  Pearl  Street,  at  its  cost,  .  21,541-29 
Books  as  per  leger 15,511-90 


$61,266-21 
That  the  increase  for  the  year  Avas  .  1,636-00 
And  the  expenditure 1,546-31 

At  this  meeting,  also,  it  was  voted,  "  as  a  tribute  of 
gratitude  to  William  Smith  Shaw,  our  first  Secretary  and 
Librarian,  for  his  early,  zealous,  and  successful  services,  by 
which  the  growth  and  prosperity  of  this  institution  have  been 
greatly  promoted,  that  the  President  be  authorized  to  re- 
quest Mr.  Shaw  to  sit  for  his  portrait,  and  to  cause  the  same 


92  HISTORY    OF 

to  be  placed  in  the  reading-room  ;  and  that  a  sum  not 
exceeding  three  hundred  dollars  bfe  appropriated  to  defray 
the  expense  of  the  same." 

In  the  month  of  January  of  this  year  (1824),  the  arrange- 
ment was  renewed  between  the  Athenaeum  and  the  Ameri- 
can Academy  of  Arts  and  Sciences,  on  nearly  the  same 
terms  as  those  acceded  to  in  1818,  —  by  which  the  latter 
agreed  to  deposit  its  library  in  one  of  the  rooms  of  the 
former,  pay  a  stipulated  rent  for  it,  and  allow  the  same  use 
of  its  books  as  was  permitted  of  other  books  in  the  insti- 
tution, except  that  they  were  not  to  be  carried  out  of  the 
house  by  any  one  not  a  member  of  the  Academy.  The 
Athenaeum  was  not  to  be  responsible  for  the  loss  of  the 
books  in  any  way,  nor  bound  to  take  more  care  of  them, 
than  they  took  of  their  own ;  and  the  agreement  Avas  to  be 
terminated  at  the  pleasure  of  either  party. 

In  April,  of  the  same  year,  many  valuable  books  were 
found  to  be  mutilated,  and  a  reward  of  one  hundred  dollars 
was  offered  for  the  detection  of  the  offender.  This  circum- 
stance led  to  a  full  report  from  the  sub-librarian  of  all  the 
books  missing  and  mutilations  committed  in  the  library 
since  the  first  establishment  of  the  Athenseum ;  from  which 
it  appeared,  that,  during  the  seventeen  years,  about  eighty 
volumes  had  been  lost,  and,  of  those  variously  mutilated, 
the  number  was  about  fifty. 

At  the  annual  meeting  of  the  Proprietors,  on  the  3d  of 
January,  1825,  a  report  from  the  joint  committee  of  the 
Proprietors  and  Trustees,  for  visiting  the  library,  was  re- 
ceived, stating  its  general  good  condition,  but  its  exposure 
to  depredations  and  mutilations  from  the  facility  of  access 
by  all  visiters  to  all  its  rooms,  and  recommending  more 
restrictions  upon  admission  to  other  rooms  than  the  reading- 
room.  The  number  of  books  the  committee  stated  to  be 
fourteen  thousand  nine  hundred  and  eighty-seven  volumes, 


THE   BOSTON   ATHEN^UM.  93 

including  books  deposited,  which  amounted  to  tivo  thousand. 
The  want  of  a  fund  for  the  increase  of  the  library  was 
lamented  by  the  committee,  the  Athenaeum  not  possessing 
the  means  of  purchasing  even  the  works  of  literature  and 
science  which  appear  in  our  own  country,  but  being  prin- 
cipally indebted  for  these  to  the  liberality  of  authors  and 
publishers.  The  officers  chosen  this  year  were  the  same 
as  those  of  the  year  preceding. 

The  committee  on  the  Treasurer's  accounts  stated,  that 
the  productive  funds  of  the  institution  were  $23,085*18 
that  the  expenditure  of  the  year  had  been  .  1,644-34 
and  the  income  only       .....     1,373*00 

The  election  of  the  Librarian  being  vested,  by  the  laws, 
in  the  Trustees,  they,  at  a  meeting  on  the  28th  of  January, 
1825,  chose  Dr.  Seth  Bass  ;*  and  at  the  same  time  it  was 
made  the  duty  of  the  Librarian  to  report,  quarterly,  the 
state  of  the  library  to  the  Trustees,  specifying  the  books 
missing  or  mutilated. 

In  April,  the  sum  of  two  hundred  dollars  was  placed  un- 
der the  control  of  a  committee  of  the  Trustees  for  the  pur- 
pose of  procuring  new  publications.  This,  in  the  succeeding 
month  of  July,  was  augmented  to  five  hundred  dollars,  in- 
cluding the  sum  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  dollars,  given  for 
the  purpose  hy  an  unknown  individual. 

At  the  annual  meeting  of  the  Proprietors,  on  the  2d  of 
January,  1826,  the  committee  for  examining  the  library 
reported  that  the  Athenaeum  now  possessed  15,039  vol- 
umes, 3,701  pamphlets,  559  engravings,  and  98  medals  ; 
the  coins  being  claimed  by  Mr.  Shaw  as  his  property. 

A  more  accurate  examination  of  the  books  of  the  library 
having  been  made,  it  was  now  ascertained  478  plates  were 

*  Dr.  Bass,  continued  in  the  office  of  Librarian  for  twenty  years,  and  retired 
in  1846,  with  an  expressive  testimonial  of  the  sense  entertained  by  the  Trustees, 
of  his  long  and  faithful  service. 


94  HISTORY    OF 

missing,  including  all  that  had  been  lost  since  the  foundation 
of  the  institution. 

By  a  report  from  the  committee  on  the  Treasurer's 
accounts,  it  appeared  that  the  expenditure  of  the  past 
year  was  $1,487-50,  and  the  income  $1,273-50. 

By  the  resignation  of  Messrs.  Thacher,  Lawrence,  and 
Sturgis,  vacancies  were  made  in  the  board  of  officers, 
which  were  filled  by  Messrs.  Bowditch,  Dorr,  and  Brooks.* 

This  meeting  of  the  Proprietors  was  adjourned  to  the 
6th  of  February  ensuing ;  when,  on  a  recommendation  from 
the  Trustees,  it  was  voted,  that  a  portion  of  the  books 
might  be  circulated  "  to  such  proprietors  and  life  share- 
holders as  pay  five  dollars  per  annum  for  the  privilege  "  ; 
and  a  committee,  composed  of  Nathaniel  Bowditch,  Francis 
C.  Gray,  George  Ticknor,  Thomas  W.  Ward,  and  Francis 
J.  Oliver,  was  appointed  to  attend  to  this  subject.  The 
expediency  "  of  uniting,  in  the  Athenaeum,  the  principal 
circulating  libraries  of  this  city  "  was  then  considered  ;  and 
the  same  committee  was  appointed  to  make,  if  possible,  an 
arrangement  to  that  effect  with  the  proprietors  of  those 
libraries. 

By  a  report  of  the  committee  on  the  subject  of  a  new 
building  for  lectures  and  for  exhibiting  works  of  art,  it  now 
appeared,  that  difficulties  had  occurred  which  had  delayed 
their  progress ;  that  the  reasons  in  favor  of  the  measure 
were  strong,  but  that  the  amount  subscribed  was  not  ade- 
quate to  meet  the  anticipated  cost.  They  recommended, 
however,  "  that  the  proposed  building  he  forthivith  com- 
menced, trusting  to  the  good  feelings,  generosity,  and  pub- 


*  OflScers  chosen  in  1826.  —  President,  Josiah  Quincy  ; —  Vice-President, 
Francis  C.  Gray;  —  Treasurer,  Nathan  Appleton;  —  Secretary,  Henry  Cod - 
man;  —  Trustees,  Theodore  Lyman,  Jr.,  Thomas  Wigglesworth,  Nathaniel 
Bowditch,  Samuel  Dorr,  Henry  Codman,  George  Ticknor,  Samuel  Swett, 
James  Perkins,  Edward  Brooks. 


THE   BOSTON   ATHEN^UM.  95 

Uc  spirit  of  an  increasing  city  for  its  completion.''^  This 
report  was  accepted,  and  a  cominittee,  of  which  Thomas 
H.  Perkins  was  appointed  chairman,  was  raised,  with  full 
powers  to  carry  the  same  into  effect. 

On  the  18th  of  March,  1826,  a  special  meeting  of  the 
Proprietors  was  held,  at  the  call  of  the  committee  ap- 
pointed on  the  subject  of  the  union  of  libraries  and  the 
circulation  of  books,  of  which  Nathaniel  Bowditch  was 
chairman.  On  their  report,  it  having  had  the  previous 
sanction  of  the  Trustees,  an  arrangement  for  the  union  of 
the  Boston  Medical  Library  with  the  Athenaeum  was  unan- 
imously agreed  to  by  the  Proprietors,  on  the  following  terms  : 
That  each  Proprietor  of  the  Medical  Library  should  have  the 
privilege  of  a  life  subscriber  on  the  payment  of  five  dollars 
per  annu7n,  and  should  become  a  Proprietor  of  the  Athe- 
naeum by  paying  one  hundred  and  fifty  dollars,  —  such  life- 
subscriber  to  have  the  right,  on  his  removal  from  Boston, 
to  transfer  his  share  for  and  during  the  period  of  his  life  ; 
that  the  members  of  the  Boston  Medical  Association  should 
have  access  to  the  privileges  of  the  Athenaeum  during  the 
then  coming  year  for  the  sum  of  ten  dollars  ;  and  that  the 
Medical  department  should  receive  its  full  proportion  of 
the  sums  apphed  hereafter  to  the  purchase  of  books. 

The  same  committee  were  now  empowered  "  to  make 
such  an  arrangement  of  the  rooms  and  books  in  the  present 
building,  and  to  make  and  print  such  a  Catalogue,  as  they 
may  deem  most  expedient  to  constitute  the  Athenaeum  a 
valuable  circulating  library  "  ;  and  they  were  moreover  "  re- 
quested to  ascertain  what  are  its  deficiencies  in  imperfect 
sets  or  otherwise,  and  to  take  such  measures  as  may  be  ap- 
proved by  the  Trustees  for  supplying  the  same." 

At  this  meeting,  also,  the  committee  on  the  subject  of 
erecting  "  a  building  for  an  Academy  for  the  Fine  Arts,  to 
comprise  an  exhibition  room,  lecture  room,  and  a  basement 


96  HISTORY   OF 

to  accommodate  such  societies  as  should  incline  to  locate 
themselves  "  within  it,  reported  that  the  -whole  cost  was 
estimated  to  be  $12,400  ;  that  the  amount  already  sub- 
scribed was  $4,486-50,  leaving  a  deficiency  of  $7,913-50  ; 
and  that  the  interest  upon  this  sum,  amounting  to  about 
$474,  might  readily  be  met  by  the  income  from  the  lec- 
ture room.  They  therefore  proposed  to  raise  the  amount 
by  loan,  and  to  pledge  the  income  of  that  room,  as  also  of 
the  exhibition  and  basement  rooms,  for  the  interest.  To 
tliis  proposition  the  Proprietors  acceded,  providing,  how- 
ever, that  the  Corporation  should  not  be  holden  for  the 
repayment  of  such  loan,  except  so  far  as  the  lenders 
should  be  able  to  reimburse  themselves  out  of  the  rents  and 
profits  of  the  edifice.  The  committee  were  also  author- 
ized to  make  arrangements  with  the  Medical  Society,  the 
American  Academy,  the  Historical  Society,  and  the  Scien- 
tific Library,  for  the  occupancy  of  the  rooms  in  the  basement, 
and  occasional  use  of  the  lecture  room. 

The  situation  of  the  Athenaeum  at  this  time  was  far  from 
being  satisfactory.  By  the  liberality  of  James  Perkins, 
their  funds  had  been  increased,  and  their  local  accom- 
modations extended ;  but  their  available  means  Avere  but 
in  a  very  small  degree  applicable  to  the  enlargement  of  the 
Library,  even  as  to  those  new  and  periodical  publications, 
which,  to  a  majority  of  readers,  constitute  the  chief  inter- 
est of  such  an  institution.  The  removal  of  its  position  had 
not  augmented,  but  reduced,  the  number  of  annual  sub- 
scribers, which  were  now  only  twenty ;  and  the  attempt 
to  raise  funds  from  public  lectures  was  deemed,  by  many  of 
the  Proprietors,  of  dubious  result,  and,  when  coupled  with 
the  necessity  of  a  debt,  was  to  some  of  them  absolutely 
obnoxious.  From  these  difficulties  the  institution  was  hap 
pily  reUeved  by  the  liberality  of  Thomas  H.  Perkins,  the 
brother,  and  James  Perkins,  the  son,  of  its  first  benefac- 
tor of  that  name. 


THE    BOSTON   ATHEN^UM.  97 

On  the  lOtli  of  April,  the  following  letters,  addressed  to 
a  member  of  the  committee,  were  laid  before  the  Trustees. 

"  Boston,  March  30th,  1826. 

"  Dear  Sir,  —  Desirous  of  seeing  the  Athenseum  placed 
upon  the  most  reputable  footing,  and  with  a  view  to  the 
increase  of  its  resources,  I  beg  you  to  make  the  following 
proposition  to  such  gentlemen  as  are  desirous  of  promoting 
the  interests  of  this  corporation,  viz.  that  I  will  contribute 
the  sum  of  eight  thousand  dollars  towards  the  completion 
of  the  lecture  room  now  contracted  for,  provided  a  like 
sum  is  subscribed  without  the  circle  of  my  family  connec- 
tions, for  the  general  uses  of  the  corporation,  before  the 
1st  of  November  next,  the  period  at  which  the  contractors 
agree  to  finish  the  building. 

"  I  think  there  is  httle  doubt,  that  the  exhibition  room, 
lecture  room,  and  basement  will  give  an  annual  income  of 
one  thousand  dollars  and  upwards,  which  it  is  presumed 
will  be  appropriated  to  the  increase  of  the  periodical  and 
other  publications,  and  which,  with  the  aid  proposed,  will 
do  much  towards  placing  us  upon  at  least  as  good  a  footing 
as  our  neighboui'S. 

"  I  am,  dear  Sir,  your  friend  and  servant, 

"  T.  H.  Perkins." 

"To  George  Ticknor,  Esq. 

"  Pearl  Street,  March  30th. 

"  Dear  Sir,  —  As  it  is  unnecessary  for  me  to  state  to 
you  the  interest  I  feel  in  the  Athenseum,  I  have  only  to 
say,  that  I  will  give  eight  thousand  dollars,  provided  that 
the  same  sum  is  raised  from  individuals  beside  the  eight 
thousand  dollars  proffered  to  be  raised  to  meet  the  offer 
of  Col.  T.  H.  Perkins.  We  shall,  in  this  case,  give  to 
the  institution  sixteen  thousand  dollars,  provided  the  like 

13 


98  HISTORY   OF 

sum  of  sixteen  thousand  dollars  is  raised  from  the  com- 
munity by  the  1st  day  of  November  next. 

"  Yours  truly,        James  Perkins. 

"To  Geokge  Ticknoe,  Esq." 

Votes  were  immediately  passed  by  the  Trustees,  express- 
ing to  each  of  these  gentlemen  the  deep  sense  entertained 
by  the  Board,  of  the  munificent  liberality  manifested  by 
each,  "  not  only  to  this  institution,  but  to  the  community." 

The  committee,  heretofore  appointed  by  the  Proprietors 
on  the  subject  of  the  union  of  libraries  and  supplying 
deficiencies,  was  immediately  authorised  to  collect,  in  any 
way  they  might  see  fit,  the  sums  necessary  to  secure  to  the 
institution  the  full  benefit  of  these  munificent  ofiers. 

On  the  9th  of  May  ensuing,  this  committee  reported  to 
the  Trustees,  that  they  had  obtained  donations,  and  sub- 
scriptions for  new  shares,  more  than  enough  to  comply 
with  the  conditions  attached  to  the  generous  ofiers  of  the 
Messrs.  Perkins  ;  and  a  meeting  of  the  Proprietors  was 
held,  on  the  25th  of  that  month,  to  consider  and  sanction 
their  proceedings. 

At  this  meeting,  the  above-mentioned  committee  re- 
ported, first,  that  the  Medical  Library  had  become  a  part 
of  the  Athenaeum,  by  a  contract  duly  executed,  in  con- 
formity with  the  vote  of  the  Proprietors ;  and  secondly, 
that,  in  relation  to  the  Massachusetts  Scientific  Library 
Association,  the  members  had  unanimously  agreed  to  unite 
their  institution  with  the  Athenoeum,  on  condition  that  all 
persons  (there  being  twelve)  who  had  subscribed  one  hun- 
dred, or  fifty,  dollars  towards  the  Scientific  Library,  and  who 
were  not  already  proprietors  or  life  shareholders  in  the 
Athenaeum,  shall  have  the  privileges  of  life-subscribers  to 
the  Athenaeum ;  —  that  the  annual  subscribers  to  the  Scien- 
tific Library  (there  being  seventy-five)  shall  have  all  the 


THE   BOSTON   ATHENiEUM.  99 

rights  of  annual  subscribers  to  the  Athengeum,  on  the  pay- 
ment of  ten  dollars  per  annum ;  and  also  the  right  of  life 
shareholders,  so  long  as  they  pay  that  sum  regularly ;  — 
that,  for  the  above  consideration,  the  whole  sum  subscribed 
to  the  Scientific  Library  shall  be  paid  over  into  the  funds 
of  the  Athenffium,  to  be  expended  in  scientific  books,  under 
the  direction  of  the  Trustees  of  the  Scientific  Library.  The 
committee  recommended  to  the  Proprietors  the  acceptance 
of  these  conditions,  provided  that  the  sum  paid  by  the 
Scientific  Library  Association  be  not  less  than  three  thou- 
sand dollars  by  the  first  of  July  next,  it  being  also  under- 
stood that  the  above  Association  is  entirely  merged  in  the 
Athenaeum. 

The  Proprietors  accepted  the  report,  and  sanctioned  the 
union  with  the  Scientific  Library  Association,  on  the  princi- 
ples recommended. 

On  the  subject  of  supplying  deficiencies  in  the  Library, 
the  same  committee  made  a  report,  which  having  been 
accepted  and  ordered  to  be  pubhshed,  soon  afterward 
appeared  in  print,  with  some  introductory  remarks,  as 
foUows : 

"BOSTON   ATHEN^UM. 

"  Early  in  January  last,  a  committee  of  the  Trustees  of 
the  Boston  Athenseum  was  appointed  to  take  into  consider- 
ation the  subject  of  allowing  the  books  to  circulate  among 
the  Proprietors.  This  committee  recommended,  that  an 
attempt  should  be  made  to  unite  several  of  the  pubhc 
libraries  with  the  Athenoeum,  and  that  such  of  the  Pro- 
prietors and  life  shareholders,  as  would  pay  annually  five 
dollars,  should  be  allowed  to  take  the  books  from  the 
library,  under  such  regulations  as  should  be  agreed  upon. 
This  report  was  accepted,  and  a  committee,  consisting  of 


100  HISTORY   OF 

Nathaniel  Bowclitch,  Francis  C.  Gray,  George  Ticknor, 
Thomas  W.  Ward,  and  Francis  J'.  Ohver,  was  appointed, 
with  full  power  to  carry  into  effect  the  proposed  measures. 
The  same  committee  were  also  instructed  to  examine  into 
and  ascertain  the  deficiencies  of  the  Ubrary,  and  to  take 
such  measures  as  the  Trustees  should  approve  to  supply 
them. 

"  In  pursuance  of  this  plan,  a  union  has  been  effected 
with  the  Medical  Library,  and  with  the  Scientific  Asso- 
ciation. The  Medical  Library  contamed  more  than  two 
thousand  volumes  of  well-selected  modern  works  on  Medi- 
cine, Surgery,  and  Chemistry,  purchased  within  ten  years, 
at  an  expense  of  more  than  four  thousand  five  hundred 
dollars.  This  Library  now  forms  a  part  of  the  Athenaeum. 
The  Proprietors  of  the  Medical  Library,  being  tliii'ty-one 
in  number,  were  entitled  to  life-rights  in  the  Athenoeum, 
with  the  privilege  of  exchanging  such  fife-rights  for  full 
shares  by  paying  each  an  additional  sum  of  one  hundred 
and  fifty  doUars.  Thirty  of  these  Proprietors  have  taken 
shares  in  the  Athenseum,  paying  in  all,  the  sum  of  five 
/j»*vthousand  five  hundred  dollars  ;  so  that  the  property  of  the 
Athenoeum  is  increased  more  than  nine  thousand  dollars 
by  this  union. 

"  The  Scientific  Association,  formed  a  few  months  since, 
for  the  purpose  of  procuring  a  collection  of  scientific  books, 
have  obtained  a  subscription  of  3,715  dollars,  of  which 
above  3,000  dollars  have  already  been  collected.  An  agree- 
ment for  a  union  with  this  association,  having  been  made 
by  the  committee,  was  approved  by  the  Proprietors  of  the 
Athenceum,  at  their  meeting  May  25th,  1826,  and  the  whole 
amount  subscribed  will  be  appropriated  for  the  purchase  of 
the  scientific  books  contained  in  a  catalogue  prepared  by 
the  Trustees  of  the  Scientific  Association.  This  catalogue 
docs  not  contain  any  books  now  in  the  Athenaeum,  and  it 


THE   BOSTON   ATHEN^UM.  101 

will  make  a  very  important  addition  to  their  already 
respectable  collection  of  scientific  books.  This  depart- 
ment of  the  Athenaeum  will  also  be  rendered  much  more 
complete  by  the  sum  subscribed  in  February,  1826,  for 
completing  the  transactions  of  the  Royal  Societies  and 
Academies  of  Sciences  in  London,  Edinburgh,  Dublin,  Paris, 
Petersburg,  Berlin,  Turin,  Gottingen,  Stockholm,  Copen- 
hagen, Madrid,  and  Lisbon,  making,  in  the  whole,  one  of 
the  most  complete  scientific  libraries  in  the  United  States. 

"  The  means  taken  by  the  committee  to  supply  the 
deficiencies  in  the  library  will  be  seen  by  the  annual  Report, 
made  to  the  Proprietors  of  the  Athenaeum,  at  their  meeting 
May  25th,  1826,  which  was  accepted  and  ordered  to  be 
printed. 

"  REPORT. 

"  The  committee  appointed  by  a  vote  of  the  Proprietors, 
March  18th,  1826,  beg  leave  to  report :  — 

"  That,  having  ascertained  the  deficiencies  in  the  library 
to  be  great,  they  were  considering  the  expediency  of  a 
general  subscription  among  the  Proprietors  to  supply  the 
same,  when  Col.  Thomas  H.  Perkins,  by  a  letter  of  March 
30th,  1826,  munificently  ofiered  to  give  eight  thousand  dol- 
lars towards  the  completion  of  the  new  Lecture  Rooms, 
provided  the  like  sum  should  be  subscribed,  by  other 
friends  of  the  Athengeum,  before  the  first  day  of  Novem- 
ber next ;  and  James  Perkins,  Esq.,  by  a  letter  of  the 
same  date,  and  in  the  same  munificent  spirit,  made  a  sim- 
ilar ofier,  on  similar  conditions.  Whereupon  your  com- 
mittee, in  pursuance  of  their  instructions,  did  on  the  10th 
of  April,  lay  the  whole  subject  before  the  Trustees,  who, 
after  voting  the  thanks  of  their  Board  to  Col.  T.  H.  Per- 
kins and  James  Perkins,  Esq.,  authorized  and  requested 


102  HISTORY   OF 

your  committee  forthwitli  to  collect,  in  any  way  they  might 
see  fit,  the  sums  necessary  to  secur6  to  this  institution  the 
full  benefit  of  the  offer  of  the  Messrs.  Perkins.  The  com- 
mittee, accordingly,  proceeded  to  obtain  subscriptions,  and 
did  obtain  them  to  the  follo^ving  amounts,  viz. 

"Donations, $10,090 

Amount  paid  by  the  Proprietors  of  the 
Medical   Library,   to   obtain    full 
shares  in  the  Athenseum,       .     .     .     4,500 
Fifteen  new  shares  in  the  Athenasum, 

being  all  that  remained  unsold,  .     .     4,500 

19,090 
Donation  of  Col.  Thomas  H.  Perkins,     .     8,000 
Do.       of  James  Perkins,  Esq.,    .     .     .     8,000 
Subscriptions    for  the  Transactions   of 
London,  Paris,  &c.,  of  which  sum 
Col.  Perkins  subscribed  $500,  and 
James  Perkins,  Esq.,  $500,       .     .     1,700 
Scientffic  Association,  (at  least)    .     .     .     3,210 

Amount  in  cash,  or  approved  securities,    $40,000 
To  this,  add  the  value  of  the  books  of 

the  Medical  Library,        ....     4,500 

Making  the  gross  sum  of     ...     .     $44,500 

"  Being  the  amount  of  property  added  to  the  Athenaeum 
since  January  last. 

"  Ha\ing  obtained  this  large  and  generous  subscription, 
your  committee  proceeded  to  make  arrangements  for  sup- 
plying the  deficiencies  in  the  Athenaeum  Library,  accord- 
ing to  the  vote  of  the  Proprietors.  They  have  prepared 
lists  of  books,  which  will  be  purchased  as  soon  as  may  be, 
and  they  have   made   arrangements   for   completing   the 


THE   BOSTON  ATHEN^UM.  103 

broken  sets  now  in  the  Athenaeum,  and  for  binding  the 
unbound  books  now  on  the  shelves.  Of  the  forty  thousand 
dollars,  therefore,  which  have  been  received,  the  following 
appropriations  are  already  made,  viz. 

To   the  lecture  room,  Col.  Perkins's 

donation, $8,000 

Catalogue  prepared  by  the  Trustees  of 

the  Scientific  Library  Association,      3,210 

Catalogue  prepared  by  the  Trustees  of 

the  Athenseum,  (about)      .     .     .     10,790 

For  binding  and  repairs,        ....       1,500 


Making  in  all        $23,500 

"  Leaving  the  sum  of  $16,500  to  be  added  to  the  perma- 
nent funds  of  the  institution,  the  income  of  which  is  to  be 
appropriated  to  the  purchase  of  books  hereafter.  But  this 
is  not  the  only,  or  the  principal  new  source  of  income,  that 
will  be  opened  to  the  Athenaeum,  for  the  purchase  of  books, 
which  may  be  estimated  as  follows,  viz. 

Income  from  new  fund,       .     .     (about)  $900 

Do.        "     lecture  rooms,     .     .     "     .  800 

Do.        "     circulation  of  books,      "     .  900 

Do.        "     annual  Scientific  subscribers,  200 


Making  the  whole  annual  income       $2,800 

according  to  an  extremely  moderate  computation,  for  the 
purchase  of  books ;  the  income  from  the  former  funds  of 
the  institution  having  been  found  sufficient  to  pay  the  cur- 
rent expenses. 

"  This  state  of  the  Athenaeum  the  committee  have  very 
great  pleasure  in  laying  before  the  Proprietors.  The 
addition  to  its  means,  thus  obtained  in  a  very  short  tune, 


104 


HISTORY   OF 


mil  probably  render  it  second  to  no  similar  institution  in 
the  United  States. 

"  All  which  is  respectfully  submitted. 

"  Nathaniel  Boavditch, 
Francis  C.  Gray, 
George  Ticknor, 
Thomas  W.  "Ward, 
Francis  J.  Oliver.* 
"  May,  23, 1826." 


*  The  following  details  are  recorded  in  the  Donation  Book,  under  the  date 
of  April  5th,  1826. 
"  Thomas  H.  Perkins,  §  8,000  \  James  Perldns,  the  younger,      $  8,000 

"  In  consequence  of  the  above  gifts,  there  was  raised  for  the  Athenasura  at  this 
time  the  sum  of  $  45,012-32  (including  the  gifts  of  the  Messrs.  Perkins),  of  which 
the  sum  of  $  14,722*32  was  received  in  the  value  of  the  Medical  Library,  in 
subscriptions  for  new  shares,  and  for  other  privileges  in  the  Athenaeum ;  and  the 
following  sums  were  donations  in  money,  viz. 


William  Phillips 

$1,000 

John  P.  Rice 

$100 

Peter  C.  Brooks 

1,000 

Francis  Parkman 

100 

Ebenezer  Francis 

300 

John  Amory 

100 

John  Lowell 

300 

Joseph  Head 

100 

Thomas  Wigglesworth 

300 

Samuel  Salisbury 

100 

WiUiam  S.  Shaw 

300 

Thomas  Williams 

100 

George  C.  Shattuck 

300 

James  T.  Austin 

100 

John  Tappan 

200 

Thomas  Bartlett 

100 

Waiiam  R.  Gray 

200 

Benjamin  Joy 

100 

Francis  C.  Gray 

150 

John  C.  Howard 

100 

James  Jaclvson 

100 

Charles  Taylor 

100 

Patrick  T.  Jacteon 

100 

Joseph  Coolidge 

100 

Charles  Jackson 

100 

Robert  G.  Shaw 

100 

Amos  Lawrence 

100 

Jolm  C.  Jones 

100 

Abbott  Lawrence 

100 

David  W.  Childs 

100 

William  Lawrence 

100 

Daniel  P.  Parker 

100 

William  Prescott 

100 

William  H.  Eliot 

100 

William  Sturgis 

100 

Jonathan  Mason 

100 

Samuel  Dorr 

100 

Charles  Torrey 

100 

Richard  D.  Tucker 

100 

Benjamin  Wiggin 

100 

Ebenezer  T.  Andrews 

100 

William  Sawyer 

100 

Joshua  Clapp 

100 

Joseph  W.  Revere 

100 

Pliny  Cutler 

100 

Samuel  Whitwell,  jr. 

100 

Levws  Tappan 

100 

George  Bond 

100 

Josiah  Bradlee 

100 

John  D.  Williams 

100 

Josiah  Quincy 

100 

John  Parker 

100 

Daniel  Hammond 

100 

Daniel  Webster 

100 

Henderson  Inches 

100 

George  Ticknor 

100 

Joseph  P.  Bradlee 

100 

Nathaniel  Bowditch 

100 

Horace  Gray, 

100 

George  Burrouglis 

100 

Israel  Thorndike,  jr. 

100 

William  Pratt 

100 

Edward  H.  Robbins,  jr. 

100 

Thomas  W.  Ward 

100 

Edward  Tuckerman 

100 

Francis  Lee 

100 

THE   BOSTON   ATHEN^UM. 


105 


The  Trustees,  at  a  meeting  in  the  same  month,  voted  to 
request  Thomas  H.  Perkins,  to  sit  to  Gilbert  Stuart  for  his 
portrait,  to  be  placed  with  that  of  his  brother  ;  and  a  suita- 
ble appropriation  was  made  to  pay  the  expense. 


John  Belknap 

80 

H.  A.  S.  Dearborn 

50 

Jesse  Putnam 

80 

Timothy  Williams 

50 

J.  Hall 

80 

Thomas  K.  Jones 

50 

■William  H.  Prescott 

50 

P.  0.  Thacher 

50 

Franklin  Dexter 

50 

Edward  Cmft 

50 

The  following  were  donations  in  money,  constituting  the  funds 

of  the  Scien- 

tific  Library  Association,  viz. 

Peter  C.  Brooks 

$100 

George  Bond 

50 

James  Perkins,  the  younger 

100 

Amos  Lawi-ence 

50 

Edward  Brooks 

100 

Samuel  Whitwell,  jr. 

50 

William  Sturgis 

100 

William  Lawrence 

50 

Patrick  T.  Jackson 

100 

S.  L.  Dana 

50 

John  Lowell 

100 

Jacob  Bigelow 

50 

John  A.  Lowell 

100 

Horace  Gray 

50 

Charles  Jackson 

100 

Edward  H.  Robbins 

50 

George  W.  Revere 

100 

William  Sullivan 

50 

George  Ticknor 

100 

Richard  D.  Tucker 

50 

Israel  Thorndike 

100 

Samuel  A.  Eliot 

50 

John  Lowell,  jr. 

100 

Edward  J.  Lowell 

50 

John  C.  Gray 

100 

Henry  Lee 

50 

Gorham  Brooks 

100 

William  H.  Prescott 

50 

Nathan  Appleton 

50 

John  Tappan 

50 

William  Appleton 

50 

John  C.  Warren 

50 

The  following  sums  were 

subscribec 

to  be  appropriated  to  the 

purchase  of 

Philosophical  and  other  Transactions,  v 

z. 

Thomas  H.  Perkins 

$500 

George  Ticknor 

100 

James  Perkins,  the  younger 

500 

Thomas  W.  Ward 

100 

Israel  Thorndike 

250 

Francis  C.  Gray 

100 

Nathaniel  Bowditch 

100 

14 


lOG  HISTORY   OF 


CHAPTER.  V. 

SALES  OF  NEW  SHARES  AUTHORIZED BY-LAWS  RELATIVE  TO    TAKING 

OUT  BOOKS  —  SETTLEMENT  WITH  THE  ADMINISTRATOR   OF   WILLIAM 

S.  SHAW HIS    PORTRAIT    OBTAINED TRIBUTE  TO  HIS  MEMORY  

SHELF    CATALOGUE     OF     THE     LIBRARY     PREPARED MEASURES    FOR 

MAKING     IT     A     CIRCULATING    LIBRARY ROOM     CONTAINING     CASTS 

OPENED  TO  ARTISTS  GENERAL  BY-LAWS  ESTABLISHED  TREA- 
SURER'S STATEMENTS  —  PROCEEDS  OF  THE  FIRST  FOUR  EXHIBITIONS 
OF     PAINTINGS  —  APPROPRIATED    TO   THE    ENCOURAGEMENT    OF    THE 

FINE     ARTS  BOOKS    AND    MAPS    RELATIVE    TO     THE     BOUNDARY     OP 

MAINE  LENT  TO  THE  UNITED  STATES STUART's  ORIGINAL  PIC- 
TURES    OF     GENERAL     AND     MRS.    WASHINGTON     PURCHASED FINAL 

REPORT  OF  THE  COMMITTEE  ON  SUPPLYING  DEFICIENCIES  IN  THE 
LIBRARY. 

On  the  lOtli  of  July,  1826,  the  Trustees  caused  a  special 
meeting  of  the  Proprietors  to  be  called  on  the  24th  of  that 
month,  for  the  purpose  of  considering  the  expediency  of 
authorizing  the  sale  of  fifty  new  shares,  as  provided  by 
an  agreement  with  the  original  Proprietors.  At  the  meet- 
ing thus  called,  the  Proprietors,  after  declaring  that, 
by  the  original  subscription  to  the  Athenaeum,  the  number 
of  shares  was  limited  to  one  hundred  and  fifty,  but  that,  by 
a  subsequent,  written  agreement,  signed  by  the  original  and 
other  subscribers,  dated  July  19th,  1818,  authority  was 
given  to  the  Corporation  to  create  one  hundred  and  fifty 
new  shares,  —  of  which  authority  the  Proprietors,  on  the 
20th  of  December,  1821,  so  far  availed  themselves  as  to 
empower  the  Trustees  to  sell  new  shares  to  the  number  of 
one  hundred,  —  voted  that  the  Trustees  should  have  au- 
thority to  sell  any  number  of  new  shares  not  exceeding  ^/^y, 
so  as  to  make  the  whole  number  of  shares  three  Imndred. 
Of  this  authority,  the  Trustees  afterwards  availed  them- 
selves to  its  full  extent. 


THE   BOSTON   ATHEN^UM.  107 

On  the  13th  of  December,  1826,  a  committee  of  the 
Trustees,  appointed  on  the  subject,  reported  the  following 

"  By-Laws  relative  to  taking  out  books  from  the  Boston 
Athenaeum :  — 

"  I.  Proprietors  of  shares,  and  Ufe  shareholders,  by  paying  an 
annual  assessment  o^  five  dollars  shall  have  a  right  to  take  out 
books  from  the  AthenJEum.  Also,  such  subscribers  to  the 
Scientific  Libraiy  as  have  already  complied  with  the  conditions 
of  the  transfer  of  that  Library  to  the  Athenaeum,  and  paid  the 
first  assessment,  shall,  by  paying  an  annual  assessment  of  ten 
dollars,  have  the  right  to  take  out  books  in  the  same  manner 
as  the  Proprietors ;  provided,  however,  that  this  right  shall 
cease  upon  failure  to  pay  this  annual  assessment,  and  that  no 
person  shall  have  a  right  to  take  out  any  book  till  all  assess- 
ments and  other  dues  are  paid. 

"  II.  Any  person  entitled  to  take  out  books  under  the  last 
article  may  have,  at  any  one  time,  three  volumes. 

"  III.  Books  may  be  kept  out  of  the  Library  one  calendar 
month,  and  no  longer ;  and  every  person  shall  be  subjected  to 
a  fine  of  twenty  cents  a  week  for  every  volume  retained  beyond 
that  time. 

"  IV.  Every  book  shall  be  returned  in  good  order,  regard 
being  had  to  the  necessary  wear  of  the  book  with  good  usage. 
And,  if  any  book  shall  be  lost  or  injured,  the  person  to  whom 
it  stands  charged  shall  replace  it  by  a  new  volume,  or  set,  if  it 
belonged  to  a  set,  or  pay  the  current  price  of  the  volume  or 
set  to  the  Librarian  ;  and  thereupon  the  remainder  of  the  set, 
if  the  volume  belonged  to  a  set,  shall  be  delivered  to  the  per- 
son so  paying  for  the  same. 

"  V.  All  books  shall  be  returned  to  the  Library  for  examina- 
tion on  the  second  Wednesday  of  May,  annually,  and  remain 
one  fortnight.  And  every  person  then  having  one  or  more 
books,  and  neglecting  to  return  the  same,  as  herein  required, 
shall  forfeit  and  pay  a  fine  of  one  dollar. 

"  VI.  When  a  written  request  shall  be  left  with  the  Librarian 


108  HISTORY   OF 

for  a  particular  book  then  out,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Libra- 
rian to  retain  the  same  for  the  person  requesting  it,  for  one  day 
after  it  shall  have  been  first  returned. 

"  VII.  The  Librarian  will  attend  for  the  delivery  and  return 
of  books,  from  noon  till  2  o'clock  every  day,  Sundays  excepted. 

"  VIII.  The  Trustees  may,  on  special  occasions,  permit  any 
person  to  use  the  books  belonging  to  the  Athenaeum,  under 
such  restrictions  as  they  may  think  proper  to  impose. 

"  IX.  Very  rare  or  costly  books,  which  cannot  easily  be 
replaced  are  not  to  be  taken  from  the  Athenteum,  except  by 
a  vote  of  the  Trustees ;  and  the  new  periodical  publications, 
and  new  works  imported  from  Europe,  shall  be  withheld  from 
circulation  so  long  as  the  Trustees  may  deem  expedient. 

"  X.  No  person  shall  lend  a  book  to  another,  under  the 
penalty  of  a  fine  of  one  dollar." 

At  the  same  meeting,  a  committee,  which  had  been  at  a 
previous  meeting  appointed  by  the  board,  to  settle  with  the 
administrator  of  the  estate  of  the  late  William  S.  Shaw, 
reported,  — 

"  That  they  have  completed  such  a  settlement,  as  will  be 
seen  by  the  accompanying  agreement,  made  with  the  Rev. 
Joseph  B.  Felt,  on  the  2nd  of  November,  1826,  which 
agreement  they  pray  may  be  considered  a  part  of  this 
report. 

"And  they  further  report  the  two  following  resolutions, 
which  they  propose  for  the  acceptance  of  this  board :  — 

"  1.  That  the  thanks  of  this  Board  be  given  to  the  Rev. 
Joseph  B.  Felt  for  the  very  liberal  manner  in  which  he 
has  effected  a  settlement,  with  the  Boston  Athenaeum,  of 
the  claims  of  the  estate  of  the  late  William  S.  Shaw,  Esq. 

"  2.  That  the  thanks  of  this  Board  be  given  to  the  Rev. 
Joseph  B.  Felt  for  the  donation  of  a  large  number  of  coins 
and  medals. 

"  By  order  of  the  committee, 

"N.  BowDiTCH,   Chairman.'' 


THE   BOSTON  ATHEN^UM.  109 


'  AGREEMENT. 


"  This  agreement,  made  this  2nd  day  of  November, 
A.  D.  1826,  between  the  Boston  Athengeum,  of  the  one 
part,  and  the  Rev.  Joseph  B.  Felt,  of  Hamilton,  in  the 
County  of  Essex,  Clergyman,  Administrator  of  the  estate 
of  William  S.  Shaw,  late  of  Boston,  Esquire,  deceased, 
witnesseth :  — 

"  That,  whereas  it  has  been  supposed  that  certain  property 
of  the  said  Athenaeum  might  have  been  in  the  possession  of 
the  said  Shaw  at  the  time  of  his  decease,  and  so  have  come 
into  the  hands  of  the  said  Felt,  as  his  administrator,  and 
that  certain  property  of  the  said  Shaw  might  have  remained 
in  the  said  Athenaeum  after  the  said  Shaw's  decease ;  and 
whereas  the  said  Felt  has  delivered  to  the  said  Athenaeum 
certain  books  as  belonging  to  them,  and  the  committee  of 
the  said  Athenaeum  have  delivered  to  the  said  Felt  certain 
volumes  as  belonging  to  him,  —  found  in  the  possession  of 
each  respectively; — now  the  said  Felt  doth  hereby  release 
the  said  Athenaeum  from  all  demands  which  are  or  might 
be  made  on  his  part  upon  the  said  Athenaeum ;  and  the 
said  Athenaeum  doth  hereby  release  the  said  Felt  from  all 
demands  which  are  or  might  be  made  by  the  said  Athenaeum 
on  the  said  Felt.  And  the  said  Joseph  B.  Felt  doth  hereby 
present  to  the  said  Athenaeum  all  coins,  and  other  articles, 
remaining  in  the  Athenaeum,  which  may  have  been  the  pro- 
perty of  the  said  Shaw. 

"  Nathaniel  Bowditch,  ^      Committee  for 

"F.  C.  Gray,  \  the 

"  George  Ticknor,  )  Boston  Athenceum. 

"  Joseph  B.  Felt,  Administrator. 

"  Voted,  to  accept  the  foregoing  report,  and  to  pass  the 
resolutions  therein  contained ;  and  that  the  same  be  com- 


110  HISTORY   OF 

municated  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Felt,  by  the  Chairman  of  the 
Committee." 

At  this  meeting,  also,  the  Trustees  authorized  the  room 
containing  casts  to  be  opened  for  the  use  of  artists  desirous 
of  draAving  from  them ;  and  a  sum  was  appropriated  to 
enable  the  Standing  Committee  to  make  arrangements  for 
this  purpose.  The  President,  at  this  meeting,  announced 
that  the  portrait  of  William  S.  Shaw,  Esq.,  for  which  the 
President  had  been  authorized  to  request  him  to  sit,  by  a 
vote  of  the  Proprietors  in  February,  1824,  was  nearly 
ready  to  be  placed  in  the  Athenoeum ;  and,  at  the  annual 
meeting  in  January,  1827,  the  Committee  of  the  Proprietors 
on  the  union  of  Libraries,  and  the  supply  of  the  deficien- 
cies of  the  AthenjBum,  closed  their  annual  report  with  the 
following  highly  appropriate  and  most  just  tribute  to  his 
memory :  — 

"  The  Committee  cannot  conclude  their  report  without 
adverting  to  the  circumstance,  that,  since  our  last  annual 
meeting,  the  earliest  and  most  active  among  the  founders  of 
the  Athenaeum, — the  individual  to  whom  more  than  to  any 
other  its  existence  and  first  success  are  due,  —  has  been 
removed  by  death.  As  a  distinguished  public  benefactor, 
his  name  and  memory  should  be  especially  preserved  and 
cherished  among  us ;  for  we  owe  him  much.  There  was 
probably  no  other  person  in  this  community,' who  would  have 
made  so  many  personal  sacrifices  to  secure  to  this  city  the 
benefits  we  now  enjoy,  and  the  still  greater  benefits  we  may 
reasonably  promise  ourselves  and  our  children,  from  the 
foundation  of  this  institution,  which  was  chiefly  estabhshed 
by  his  unwearied  exertions,  and  which  he  lived  long  enough 
to  see  not  only  an  object  of  general  interest  and  regard, 
but  so  munificently  patronized  and  sustained  by  the  most 
liberal  and  intelligent  among  our  citizens,  that  it  had  already 


THE   BOSTON   ATHEN^UM.  Ill 

become  more  than  his  most  sanguine  hopes  had  dared  to 
anticipate. 

"  N.    BOWDITCH, 

F.  C.  Gray, 
Geo.  Ticknor, 
Thomas  W.  Ward, 
Francis  J.  Oliver," 

The  same  Committee  reported,  that  an  examination  more 
strict  and  thorough  than  usual  had  been  made,  whereby  it 
appeared  that  many  books  which  had  been  reported  as  lost 
were  now  found  to  have  been  only  mislaid ;  that  every  box 
and  shelf  in  the  Athenaeum  had  been  numbered,  and  every 
book  marked  on  the  inside  with  the  number  of  the  shelf  to 
which  it  belonged;  and  a  manuscript  inventory,  or  shelf 
catalogue,  of  the  whole  had  been  prepared,  whereby  the 
examination  of  the  Library  hereafter  might  be  more  easily 
and  quickly  made,  and  the  absence  of  any  volume  readily 
detected. 

They  also  reported  their  satisfaction  with  the  settlement 
made  by  the  Trustees  with  Mr.  Felt,  the  Administrator 
of  the  estate  of  Mr.  Shaw,  noticing  appropriately  the  liberal 
manner  in  which  Mr.  Felt  had  desired  the  Committee  to 
accept  all  books  supposed  to  be  Mr.  Shaw's  not  already 
on  the  shelves  of  the  Athenseum,  and  also  all  the  coins, 
whether  supposed  to  have  been  claimed  by  Mr.  Shaw  or 
not. 

They  reported  also,  that  673  volumes,  some  of  great 
value,  and  155  pamphlets,  had  been  presented  to  the 
Athenseum  in  the  course  of  the  year ;  enumerating  many 
of  the  donations,  and  expressing  appropriate  acknowledg- 
ments, by  name,  to  the  donors. 

It  appeared  by  the  same  report,  that  upwards  of  3,500 
volumes  had  been  bound  or  repaired;  that  460  volumes 


112  HISTORY   OP 

had  been  purchased,  and  between  13,000  and  14,000  dol- 
lars had  been  remitted  to  Europe  for  the  purchase  of 
books ;  and  also  that  arrangements  had,  in  a  great  measure, 
been  completed,  and  rules  adopted,  for  the  purpose  of  con- 
stituting the  Athenaeum  a  circulatuag  Library  ;  an  alpha- 
betical catalogue  of  the  library  being  nearly  printed,  distinct 
from  the  manuscript  catalogue  for  facilitating  the  examinar 
tion  of  the  Library. 

Concerning  the  pamphlets  and  coins,  the  Committee  also 
reported,  that  the  number  which  had  recently  come  into  the 
possession  of  the  Athenaeum  was  so  great  that  they  had  not 
yet  had  the  time  suitably  to  examine  them ;  that  one  thou- 
sand volumes  of  tracts  had  been  bound,  but  that  a  great 
number  remained  unbound ;  that  of  coins  and  medals  the 
Athenaeum  possessed  upwards  of  13,000,  some  of  which 
were  duphcates,  some  worthless,  but  that  an  interesting 
cabinet  of  several  thousand  pieces  might  undoubtedly  be 
formed  out  of  them. 

In  this  report  the  proceedings  of  the  Trustees,  for  the 
accommodation  of  the  artists  in  the  vicinity,  by  giving  them 
free  access  to  the  casts,  and  ordering  the  room  to  be 
warmed  for  them  three  evenings  in  the  week,  were  stated 
and  approved. 

By  the  Treasurer's  Report, 

The  productive  property  of  the 
Athenaeum  on  the  30th  of  De- 
cember, 1826,  was     ....      $45,475-52 

Its  estate  in  Pearl  street,  valued 

at  its  cost 21,790-40 

Books  per  Ledger  do.      .     .      17,379-34 

Lecture-room,  and  cash  on  hand  15,104-00 

,749-26 


THE   BOSTON   ATHEN^UM.  113 

At  this  meeting,  the  Standing  Committee  reported,  and 
the  Proprietors  accepted,  the  following 

"  By-Laws  of  the  Proprietors  of  the  Boston  Athenaeum, 
established  January  1,  1827. 

"  CHAPTER  I. 

"  Proprietors'  Meetings,  and  Elections. 

"Art.  1.  There  shall  be  Annual  Meetings  of  the  Proprietors, 
on  the  first  Monday  of  January,  at  5  o'clock  P.  M.  and  Special 
Meetings  may  be  called  at  any  time  by  order  of  the  Trustees ; 
all  which  shall  be  held  at  the  Athenaeum,  or  such  other  place 
as  the  Trustees  shall  direct.  And  in  the  absence  of  the 
President  and  Vice-President,  some  Proprietor  shall  be  chosen 
to  preside. 

"  Art.  2,  At  least  five  days'  notice  of  every  such  Meeting 
shall  be  given,  in  two  or  more  newspapers  printed  in  Boston, 
and  also  by  a  notification  to  be  left  at  the  residence,  or  place 
of  business  in  Boston,  of  each  Proprietor ;  or,  when  this  is  not 
known,  at  the  Post-office.  And  at  least  one  day's  notice  of 
every  adjourned  meeting  shall  be  given,  in  one  such  news- 
paper.     ^ 

"  Art.'S.  There  shall  be  chosen  annually,  a  President,  Vice- 
President,  and  Treasurer,  who  shall  be,  ex-qfficio,  Members  of 
the  Board  of  Trustees,  and  nine  Trustees,  all  Proprietors ;  and 
also  a  Secretary ;  to  continue  in  office  until  others  are  chosen 
in  their  stead.  And  if  any  of  these  officers  should  not  be 
elected  at  the  Annual  Meeting,  they  may  be  elected  at  any 
other  meeting. 

"CHAPTER  II. 

"  Powers  and  Duties  of  Officers. 

"  Art.  4.  The  Trustees  shall  meet  on  the  second  Monday  of 
January,  April,  July,  and  October,  at  six  o'clock,  P.  M.,  at  the 
15 


114  HISTORY    OF 

Athenseum,  or  at  such  other  place  as  the  President  shall  direct. 
Special  meetings  of  the  Board  may  be  called  by  order  of  the 
President,  Vice-President,  or  Standing  Committee.  Five  mem- 
bers shall  constitute  a  quorum.  A  printed  notice  of  every 
meeting  shall  be  sent  to  each  member  of  the  Board,  at  least 
three  days  before  the  meeting. 

"  Art.  5.  The  Trustees  shall  appoint  a  Librarian,  and,  if 
they  think  fit,  a  Sub-librarian,  and  fix  their  salaries.  They  shall 
direct  the  purchase  of  books,  and  transact,  manage,  and  regu- 
late all  affairs  of  the  Corporation,  of  what  nature  soever,  in  a 
manner  not  repugnant  to  the  terms  of  subscription  or  the  votes 
of  the  Proprietors.  They  shall  cause  the  regulations  of  the 
Athenasum  to  be  enforced,  and  may  suspend  the  privileges  of 
any  one  violating  those  regulations,  or  injuring  the  property 
of  the  Athenteum,  until  the  next  meeting  of  the  Proprietors. 
They  may  make  new  regulations,  which  shall  be  laid  before 
the  Proprietors  at  their  next  meeting,  and  shall  continue  valid 
unless  disapproved  by  them. 

"  Art.  6.  A  Standing  Committee  of  three  Trustees  shall  be 
appointed  at  each  quarterly  meeting  of  the  Board,  to  continue 
in  office  until  others  are  chosen  in  their  stead.  The  Athenseum 
shall  be  visited  by  one  of  them,  at  least  three  times  a  week. 
They  shall  have  the  immediate  management  of  the  concerns 
and  incidental  expenses  of  the  Institution,  and  may  suspend  the 
privileges  of  any  person  causing  disturbance  in  the  Athenseum, 
violating  its  rules,  or  injuring  its  property,  until  the  next  meet- 
ing of  the  Trustees. 

"  Art.  7.  The  Treasurer  shall  keep  exact  accounts  of  all  the 
property  of  the  Institution,  and  of  all  receipts  and  expenditures. 
He  shall  make  complete  statements  of  its  pecuniary  concerns 
to  the  Proprietors  at  their  Annual  Meeting,  and  to  the  Trustees 
whenever  required.  He  shall  pay  no  moneys,  but  by  order  of 
the  Trustees  or  of  the  Standing  Committee,  and  under  such 
regulations  as  the  Trustees  may  prescribe. 

"Art.  8.  The  Secretary  shall  give  notice  of  all  meetings  of 
the  Proprietors  and  Trustees,  as  above  provided  ;  shall  record 


TUE   BOSTON   ATHEN^UM.  115 

in  separate  books  the  proceedings  of  each  body,  and  all  reports 
accepted  by  them.  He  shall  submit  his  records  to  the  Stand- 
ing Committee,  as  soon  as  may  be  after  every  meeting,  for 
inspection  and  approbation,  and  bring  them  with  him  to  every 
subsequent  meeting.  He  shall  report  to  the  same  Committee 
all  communications  received  by  him,  relating  to  the  Institution  ; 
shall  keep  all  papers  in  his  department  regularly  on  file,  and 
take  receipts  for  all  certificates  of  shares  which  he  may  issue. 
In  case  of  vacancy  in  the  office,  or  of  his  absence  from  any 
meeting,  a  secretary  pro  tempore  may  be  appointed  by  the 
Trustees. 

"Art.  9.  The  Librarian,  and  in  his  absence  the  Sub-librarian, 
shall  preserve  and  arrange  in  proper  order  all  books  and  other 
articles  in  the  Athenseum,  and  make  out  complete  catalogues 
of  the  same.  He  shall  cause  the  rules  and  regulations  to  be 
observed  ;  shall  report  to  the  Standing  Committee  all  donations 
and  all  communications  received  by  him,  and  all  violations  of 
good  order,  or  of  the  regulations  of  the  Athenseum ;  and  shall 
perform  such  other  duties  as  the  Trustees  may  from  time  to 
time  prescribe. 

"  CHAPTER  III. 
'■'•Rights  and  Obligations  of  Proprietors  and  Suhscrihers. 

"Art.  10.  Proprietors  and  Life  Subscribers  shall  be  furnished 
with  certificates  of  their  property,  under  the  seal  of  the  Cor- 
poration, signed  by  the  President  and  Secretary. 

"Art.  11.  Every  Proprietor  shall  have  two  transferable  tick- 
ets of  admission  to  the  Athenseum.  But  no  transfer  of  them 
shall  be  made  for  more  than  twelve,  or  less  than  three  months, 
nor  be  valid  until  recorded  by  the  Librarian. 

"  Art.  12.  Each  Proprietor  and  Life  Subscriber  may  intro- 
duce strangers,  not  residing  whhin  twenty  miles  of  Boston,  to 
the  Athenseum  ;  and  such  strangers  shall  be  entitled  to  admis- 
sion, afterwards,  for  the  term  of  one  month,  upon  having  their 
names  recorded,  with  that  of  the  person  introducing  them,  who 


116  HISTORY    OF 

shall  be  responsible  for  their  observing  the  regulations  of  the 
Institution.  Any  number  of  persons  may  visit  the  Athenceum 
in  company  with  a  Proprietor  or  Life  Subscriber. 

"Art.  13.  Annual  Subscribers  shall  be  admitted  on  such  con- 
ditions as  the  Trustees  shall  direct,  upon  paying  a  sum  not  less 
than  ten  dollars  to  the  Librarian,  to  be  accounted  for  by  him  to 
the  Treasurer.  But  no  subscription  shall  be  received  for  a  less 
term  than  a  year. 

"  Art.  14.  Rights  and  shares  in  this  institution  shall  be  indi- 
visible. 

"  Art.  15.  No  transfer  of  a  share  shall  be  valid  until  the  evi- 
dence thereof  in  writing  is  deposited  with  the  Secretary ;  the 
old  certificate  being  first  given  up  or  shown  to  be  lost.  And 
the  Secretary  may  charge  two  dollars  for  each  transfer,  for  the 
benefit  of  the  Institution. 

"  Art.  16.  Any  person  admitted  to  the  Athenceum  may  pro- 
pose the  purchase  of  any  publication,  by  inserting  its  title  in  a 
book  kept  for  that  purpose. 

"  Art.  17.  Any  person  injuring  the  property  of  the  Athenae- 
um, and  refusing  to  make  compensation,  or  otherwise  infringing 
the  regulations  of  the  Institution,  shall  be  deprived  of  its  privi- 
leges by  the  Standing  Committee,  until  the  next  meeting  of  the 
Trustees,  who  shall  take  order  thereon. 

"  Art.  18.  Any  person  carrying  a  book  or  other  article  out 
of  the  building  contrary  to  the  regulations,  shall  forfeit  his  right 
in  the  Institution  for  one  year,  —  or,  if  an  Annual  Subscriber, 
shall  forfeit  his  subscription. 

"  CHAPTER  IV. 

"Miscellaneous  Articles. 

"  Art.  19.  The  Governor,  Lieutenant-Governor,  Members  of 
the  Legislature  for  the  time  being,  the  Judges  of  the  Supreme 
Court,  and  of  the  Courts  of  the  United  States,  the  Officers  and 
Resident  Graduates  of  Harvard  College,  and  of  the  Theological 
Institution  at  Andover,  the  several  Presidents  of  the  American 


THE    BOSTON   ATHEX^UJI.  117 

Academy,  Historical  Society,  Medical  Society,  Agricultural 
Society,  Salem  Athenaeum,  and  East  India  Marine  Society  of 
Salem,  and  such  persons  as  shall  be  specially  invited  by  vote  of 
the  Trustees,  shall  have  free  admission  to  the  Athenseum. 

"  Art.  20.  A  record  shall  be  kept  of  all  donations  ;  and,  on 
all  books  and  other  articles  presented  to  the  Athenteum,  the 
name  of  the  donor  shall  be  inscribed  in  such  manner  as 
the  Trustees  shall  direct. 

"  Art.  21.  No  books  or  other  articles,  not  the  property  of  the 
Athenaeum,  shall  be  deposited  in  it  hereafter,  unless  by  vote  of 
the  Trustees ;  and  every  thing  thus  deposited  shall  be  at  the 
risk  of  the  owner. 

"  Art.  22.  There  shall  be  an  annual  examination  of  the  Li- 
brary, at  such  time  as  the  Trustees  shall  direct,  by  a  Committee 
consisting  of  six  of  the  Trustees  and  six  of  the  Proprietors,  to 
be  appointed  by  the  Trustees.  The  report  of  this  Committee 
on  the  condition  of  the  Library,  Reading-rooms,  and  all  the 
other  concerns  of  the  Institution,  excepting  those  which  belong 
to  the  department  of  the  Treasurer,  shall  be  made  to  the  Pro- 
prietors at  the  Annual  Meeting. 

"  Art.  23.  The  Athenaeum  shall  be  opened  at  six  o'clock, 
A.  M.  from  the  first  of  June  to  the  first  of  September,  and 
during  the  rest  of  the  year  at  eight  o'clock,  and  shall  be  kept 
open  every  day,  excepting  Sunday,  until  nine  o'clock.  P.  M., 
and  at  such  other  times  as  the  Trustees  shall  prescribe." 

The  officers  of  the  ensuing  year,  who  were  chosen  at 
this  meeting,  were  the  same  as  those  of  the  year  preceding, 
excepting  only  that,  Theodore  Lyman,  Jr.  having  resigned, 
George  Hayward  was  elected  in  his  place.* 

At  the  annual  meeting  of  the  Proprietors  of  the  Ath- 

*  Officers  chosen  in  1827.  —  President,  Josiah  Quincy  ; — Vice-President, 
Francis  C.  Gray; — Treasurer,  Nathan  Appleton ; — Secretary,  Henry  Cod- 
man; —  7V«s<ees,  Thomas  VVigglesworth,  Nathaniel  Bowditch,  Samuel  Dorr, 
George  Ticknor,  Samuel  Swett,  James  Perkins,  Edward  Brooks,  Henry  Cod- 
man,  George  Hayward. 


118  HISTURY   OF 

engeum,  on  the  7tli  of  January,  1828,  the  Committee 
appointed  to  examine  the  Library  reported,  that  the  duty 
had  been  fulfilled  with  great  care,  and  that  only  one  volume, 
and  that  of  little  value,  had  been  lost  since  the  last  examina- 
tion ;  a  circumstance  which,  they  add,  gave  them  great 
pleasure,  as  it  proved  that  the  losses  anticipated  from  the 
circulation  of  books  had  not  been  experienced.  The  books, 
also,  were  found  in  good  condition ;  the  whole  number  of 
volumes  amounted  to  21,945,  there  having  been  added 
to  the  Library  during  the  year  4,356  volumes ;  the  num- 
ber added  to  the  coins  was  77 ;  and  the  various  works 
of  art  had  been  as  well  preserved  as  their  then  exposed 
situation  would  permit. 

The  financial  condition  of  the  Athenaeum  at  the  end  of 
the  year  1827,  was  stated  to  be  as  follows :  — 

Li  productive  property   ....     $40,842*64 

Net  amount  of  subscriptions  and 
receipts  for,  and  from,  the  Lec- 
ture-room, after  deducting  all 
expenses,  ordinary  and  extra- 
ordinary               15,550*82 

Books 28,360-55 

Real  estate  in  Pearl  Street       .     .        22,890*89 

Expenses  for  excess  of  expendi- 
ture over  income        580*09 

Cash  in  the  hands  of  the  Treasurer  .  57*53 

Stock $108,282*52 

At  this  meeting,  several  motions  were  offered  for  a  modi- 
fication of  the  terms  on  which  books  might  be  taken  from  the 
Athenaeum,  of  the  respective  tenors  following,  namely, — 
first,  that  "  Proprietors  and  Life  Subscribers  should  have 
the  privilege  of  taking  out  books  on  the  payment  of  an 


THE   BOSTON   ATHEN^UM.  119 

annual  assessment  of  one  dollar  ;  "  —  second,  that  "  all 
books  may  be  taken  out  the  Athenaeum  (by  those  otherwise 
qualified)  except  such  as  shall  be  specially  prohibited  by  a 
vote  of  the  Proprietors  ;  "  —  third,  that  "  any  member 
of  the  Boston  Medical  Association  may  have  all  the  privi- 
leges of  an  Annual  Subscriber  to  the  Boston  Athenasum, 
■with  the  right  of  taking  books  from  the  room  containing  the 
Medical  Library,  under  the  same  rules  as  a  Proprietor,  on 
paying  ten  dollars  annually  in  advance  to  the  Librarian, 
and  signing  an  obligation  to  obey  the  regulations  concern- 
ing the  circulation  of  the  books." 

All  these  motions  were  referred  to  a  committee,  to  report 
at  an  adjourned  meeting  on  the  first  Monday  of  the  ensu- 
ing February. 

The  Proprietors  also  voted,  that  the  proxies  of  absent 
Proprietors  may  be  admitted. 

At  this  meeting  the  following  ofiicers  were  chosen,  viz., 
Josiah  Quincy,  President ;  Nathaniel  Bowditch,  Vice-Pres- 
ident ;  Thomas  W.  Ward,  Treasurer ;  Josiah  Quincy,  Jr. 
Secretary;  and  Israel  Thomdike,  Jr.,  James  Perkins,  Jon- 
athan Philhps,  Henderson  Inches,  Joseph  Coolidge,  Jr., 
George  Hayward,  Edward  Brooks,  and  Franklin  Dexter, 
Trustees ;  leaving  one  vacancy,  the  filling  of  which  was 
postponed  till  the  next  meeting. 

At  the  adjourned  meeting  of  the  Proprietors,  the  com- 
mittee on  the  several  motions  on  the  subject  of  taking  out 
books  reported, — as  to  the  first  motion,  that  it  was  inex- 
pedient to  reduce  the  annual  assessment  as  proposed  there- 
in, the  present  sum  being  necessary  to  enable  the  Pro- 
prietors to  meet  their  current  expenses  ;  —  as  to  the  sec- 
ond, that  the  members  of  the  Boston  Medical  Association 
be  admitted  to  the  privileges  asked  for,  as  they  had  en- 
joyed a  similar  one  before  the  union  of  the  Medical  Libra- 
ry with  the  Athenaeum  ;  —  and,  as  to  the  third,  that  the 


120  HISTORY   OF 

Trustees  should  retain  the  power  o^  withholding  rare  and 
costly  books  from  circulation,  as  the  Proprietors  could  in 
any  particular  instance,  by  a  vote,  modify  the  list  of  books 
to  be  withheld. 

The  report  of  this  committee,  after  considerable  debate, 
was  accepted  by  the  Proprietors. 

A  motion  was  then  made  that  "  the  annual  assessment 
be  reduced  from  five  dollars."  This  question  was  decided 
in  the  negative,  by  yeas  43,  and  nays  107. 

Nathaniel  Bowditch  having  declined  the  office  of  Vice- 
President,  to  which  he  had  been  elected  at  the  preced- 
ing meeting,  Francis  C.  Gray  was  elected  in  his  stead. 
Jonathan  Phillips  and  James  Perkins  having  also  declined 
their  election  as  Trustees,  the  vacancies  were  filled  by  the 
election  of  Nathaniel  Bowditch,  George  Ticknor,  and  Thom- 
as Wigglesworth.* 

The  proceeds  of  the  first  exhibition  of  paintings,  in  1827, 
amounted  in  gross  receipts  to         ...         $  4,000 

And  the  expenses  incurred  were  .         .  1,500 


The  amount  paid  to  the  Treasurer  of  Athenseum 
was, $2,500 

The  proceeds  of  this  exhibition,  in  conformity  with  a  sub- 
sequent vote  of  the  Proprietors  to  apply  such  proceeds  gen- 
erally to  the  encouragement  of  the  fine  arts,  were  expended 
for  the  purchase  of  Trumbull's  picture  of  the  Sortie  of  Gib- 
raltar, for  $  2000,  and  also  of  Neagle's  picture  of  the  Black- 
smith for  $400,  and  a  portrait  of  Annibale  Caracci,  by 
himself,  for  $100. 

*  Officers,  as  finally  elected  in  1828.  —  President,  Josiah  Quincy  ; — Vice- 
President,  Francis  C.  Gray; —  Treasurer,  Thomas  W.  Ward; —  Secretanj,  Jo- 
siah Quincy,  Jr.; — Trustees,  Israel  Thorndike,  INathaniel  Bowditch,  George 
Ticknor,  Henderson  Inches,  Joseph  Coolidge,  Jr.,  George  Hayward,  Edward 
Brooks,  Franklin  Dexter,  and  Thomas  Wigglesworth. 


THE   BOSTON   ATHEN^UM.  121 

The  Commissioners  appointed  by  the  government  of  the 
United  States,  pursuant  to  a  convention  entered  into  -with 
the  government  of  Great  Britain,  having  communicated  a 
request  to  that  effect  through  Governor  Lincoln,  the  Trus- 
tees, on  the  23d  of  October,  1828,  voted  to  empower  the 
President  to  deliver  a  number  of  books  and  maps,  repre- 
sented to  be  important  to  the  statement  of  the  claims  of  the 
government  of  the  United  States  to  the  disputed  territory 
in  the  State  of  INIaine ;  —  a  list  of  the  books  and  maps  so 
lent  being  placed  on  file  and  on  record. 

At  the  annual  meeting  of  the  Proprietors  of  the  Athe- 
noeum,  on  the  5th  of  January,  1829,  the  result  of  the  re- 
ports of  all  the  committees  of  examination  was  highly  sat- 
isfactory. 

The  committee  having  charge  of  the  management  of  the 
funds  resulting  from  the  donations  of  the  Messrs.  Perkins 
and  other  individuals,  under  the  instructions  of  the  Propri- 
etors, reported  at  length  the  result  of  their  proceedings, 
from  which  it  appeared,  that  they  had  expended  on  binding 
books,  both  old  and  new,      .         .         .         .     ^  2,185-09 

And  in  the  purchase  of  books,      .         .  11,896-42 


Total, $14,081-51 

That  there  had  been  placed  at 

their   disposition    funds   of 

the  Scientific  Library,      .     $  3,422-38 
Subscribed  for  the  Transactions 

of  learned  societies,         .        1,700-00 
Of  the  Athenaeum,  for  binding 

books,        ....     1,500-00 
For  the  purchase  of  books,         10,790-00 

17,412-38 

Difference, $3,330-87 

16 


122  HISTORY   OF 

—  being  the  unexpended  balance  remaining  in  the  hands  of 
the  Treasurer. 

It  was  then  voted,  on  the  recommendation  of  the  Trustees, 
1.  That  the  net  proceeds  of  the  annual  exhibitions  be  de- 
voted to  the  promotion  of  the  fine  arts.  2.  That  purchasers 
of  shares  on  which  the  assessment  for  taking  out  books 
has  not  been  paid,  may  take  out  books  on  paying  pro  rata 
for  the  remainder  of  the  year,  but  not  for  less  than  one 
quarter.  3.  That,  if  any  book  be  lost  or  injured,  and  not 
replaced  by  a  new  volume,  or  set  (if  it  belong  to  a  set), 
the  Trustees  may  require  the  person  to  whom  it  stands 
charged  to  pay  double  the  current  price  of  the  volume  or 
set.  4.  That  the  Trustees  may  permit  any  clergyman 
regularly  settled  in  Boston  to  take  out  books  on  the  same 
terms  as  Proprietors. 

The  Treasurer's  report  for  the  year  1828  was  also  re- 
ceived at  this  meeting,  and  accepted,  by  which  it  appeared 
that  the  property  of  the  Athenaeum  was  as  follows :  — 

In  books, $31,615-58 

In  real  estate  on  Pearl  Street,     .         .  22,890-89 

In  Lecture-room,     .....        15,550-82 


$  70,057-29 


And  in  deposit  in  the  Hospital  Life 
Insurance  Office,  in  notes,  and  in 
various  banks  and  manufacturing 
companies,        .         .  ...         37,675-52 


Viz.  in  stock,  .  .  $105,330-31 
Fine  Arts,  .  .  1,948-44 
Treasurer's  hands,       .         454-06 


$  107,732-81 


$  107,732-81 


THE   BOSTON   ATHENAEUM.  123 

By  the  same  report  of  the  Treasurer  it  appeared,  that 
the  proceeds  of  the  several  exhibitions  of  pictures  were  as 
follows :  — 

Of  the  first  exhibition,      ....     |  2,500-00 

Of  the  second  do 2,492-26 

And  of  an  exhibition  of  the  Capuchin  Chapel, 

owned  by  Mr.  Wiggin,    ....         360-21 

$  5,352-47 
And  that  there  had  been  expended  in  the 

purchase  of  busts  and  pictures,      .         .         3,404-03 

Leaving  a  balance  in  the  Treasurer's  hands  to 

the  credit  of  the  Fine  Arts  department,        $  1,948-44 

The  annual  income  from  all  sources  was  stat- 
ed by  the  Treasurer  to  be    .         .         .  3,600-00 

And  the  ordinary  annual  expenses  were  esti- 
mated by  him  at 3,500-00 

At  this  meeting  the  annual  election  of  officers  took  place, 
and,  Israel  Thorndike,  Jr.  and  Thomas  Wigglesworth  having 
resigned  their  seats  as  Trustees,  Messrs.  Charles  P.  Curtis 
and  John  Lowell,  Jr.  were  elected  in  their  place.* 

In  March,  1829,  the  Trustees  voted  that  Miss  Hannah 
Adams  should  have  the  free  use  of  the  library.  In  May 
a  letter  was  received  from  Mr.  Quincy,  resigning  the  office 
of  President  of  the  institution,  whereupon  it  was  voted  that 
the  same  should  be  communicated  to  the  Proprietors  at 
their  next  annual  meeting  in  January,  1830,  when  the 
thanks  of  the  Proprietors  were  voted  to  Mr.  Quincy  for  his 
services  as  President  of  the  Athenaeum  during  the  last  nine 
years. 

*  Officers  chosen  in  1829.  —  President,  Josiah  Quincy  3  —  Vice-President, 
Francis  C.  Gray  ;—  Treasj/rer,  Thomas  W.  Ward  ;—  Secretary,  Josiah  Quincy, 
Jr.; — T'/jw^ecs,  Nathaniel  Bowditch,  George  Ticknor,  Edward  Brooks,  Hen- 
derson Inches,  Joseph  Coolidge,  Jr.,  George  Hay  ward,  Franklin  Dexter,  Charles 
P.  Curtis,  and  John  Lowell,  Jr. 


124  HISTORY    OF 

At  this  meeting  of  the  Proprietors  the  committee  ap- 
pointed for  the  examination  of  the '  Library  conckided  their 
report  with  the  remark,  that,  "  taking  into  view  the  great 
circulation  of  the  books  of  the  institution,  which  amounts, 
on  an  average,  to  four  thousand  volumes  a  year,  they  were 
found  in  good  condition,  and  in  an  order  that  did  credit  to 
the  Librarian." 

The  committee  on  the  Fine  Arts  reported  that  the  gross 
receipts  of  the  third  exhibition  of  paintings 
had  been $3,928-04 

That  the  expenses  had  been      $  1,005-31 

And  pictures  had  been  pm'chased 

at  a  cost  of        .         .         .       600-00 

■         1,605-31 


Leaving  a  balance  paid  over  to  the  Treasurer,  $  2,322*73 
From  the  annual  report  of  the  Treasurer,  for 
1829,  it  appeared  that  during  the  year  he 

had  paid $  13,006-60 

He  had  received  ....         10,399-59 


Leaving  a  balance  credited  in  his  account  of    $  2,607*01 
From  the  Treasurer's  report  it  also  appeared  that  in  De- 
cember, 1829,  the  property  of  the  Athenaeum  was  as  fol- 
lows: — 

Li  books, $36,212-57 

Eeal  estate  in  Pearl  Street,      .         .         .      22,890-89 
Lecture-room,     .....  15,550-82 


$  74,654-28 
In  deposit  in  Life  Office,  notes,  and  bank 

shares, 35,675*52 

In  paintings,  busts,  &c.,  bought  with  the  Fme 

Arts  funds, 6,159*03 

Balances  of  foreign  agents'  accounts,  .         450*31 


Making  an  aggregate  of       .         .         .     $  116,939*14 


THE   BOSTON  ATHEN^UM.  125 

Of  whicli  there  was  to  the  credit  of  the 

stock  account,  ....  $  112,381-49 
To  the  credit  of  the  Fine  Arts,  .  .  1,950-64 
Of  the  Treasurer, 2,607-01 


$  116,939-14 

The  above  included  all  the  property  of  the  Athenaeum 
for  which  money  had  been  paid,  but  did  not  include  dona- 
tions of  real  estate,  books,  pictures,  medals,  charts,  and  other 
valuable  and  rare  articles  to  a  large  amount. 

The  annual  income  for  the  then  current 

year  was  estimated  to  be  about       .         .         $  3,301 

And  its  ordinary  expenditures  were  anticipated  to  be 
about  equal  to  its  annual  income. 

The  committee  appointed  to  cause  suitable  catalogues  of 
the  pamphlets  to  be  prepared,  reported  that  they  had  at- 
tended to  that  subject,  and  two  were  in  process  of  prepar- 
ation, one  alphabetical,  the  other  arranged  according  to  the 
subjects ;  that  there  were  above  twenty  thousand  pamphlets 
in  the  Athenaeum  already  bound  up,  and  the  two  catalogues 
of  these  would  fill  four  thick  folio  volumes. 

The  Proprietors  voted,  "  That  any  person  entitled  to 
take  out  books  may  have  at  any  time  four  volumes ;  and, 
where  a  set  shall  consist  of  more  than  that  number,  he  may 
take  out  the  whole,  provided,  however,  that  the  total  number 
taken  out  at  one  time  by  any  one  subscriber,  in  his  own 
right,  shall  not  exceed  six  volumes." 

The  choice  of  officers  was  then  made  for  the  ensuing 
year.  Messrs.  Coohdge  and  Brooks,  having  dechned  re- 
election, received  the  thanks  of  the  Proprietors  for  their 
services,  and  Isaac  P.  Davis  and  Edward  Wigglesworth 
were  elected  in  their  stead.* 

*  Officers  chosen  in  1830.  —  President,  Thomas  H.  Perkins  ;  —  Vice-Presi- 
dent, Francis  C.Gray; — Treasurer,  Thomas  W.  Ward  ; — Secretary,  Josiah 
Quincy,  Jr. ;  —  Trustees,  Nathaniel   Bowditch,  George  Ticknor,  George  Hay- 


126  HISTOKY   OF 

At  the  annual  meeting  of  the  Proprietors  in  January, 
1831,  the  committee  on  the  Library  reported,  that  it  was  in 
good  condition  ;  that  the  number  of  books,  as  computed  by 
the  Librarian,  was  25,555,  including  an  addition  of  790 
during  the  last  year ;  that  the  catalogue  of  tracts,  which 
had  been  preparing  during  the  last  two  years  under  the 
superintendence  of  Professor  Ticknor,  Francis  C.  Gray, 
and  Joseph  Coohdge,  Jr.,  was  now  completed,  for  which 
the  thanks  of  the  institution  were  due  to  the  gentlemen 
above  named,  as  well  as  to  Dr.  Augustus  A.  Gould,  "  who 
has  made  out  the  catalogue  in  a  style  which  does  him  much 
credit." 

By  the  report  of  the  committee  on  the  Fine  Arts  it  ap- 
peared, that  the  net  proceeds  of  the  fourth  exhibition  (in 
1830)  had  not  been  so  great  as  those  of  the  three  previous 
years ;  and,  by  the  Treasurer's  report,  that  they  amounted 
only  to  about  $  1,800. 

The  net  receipts  from  all  the  four  exhibitions,  as  stated 
by  the  Treasurer,  had  been  about    .         .         $  10,000-00 

Of  which  had  been  expended  for  paintings 

and  busts, 7,165-25 

For  an  appropriation  for  Audubon's  Orni- 
thology,          800-00 

Leaving  a  balance  to  the  credit  of  the  Fine 

Arts  fund  of 1,925-73 


Making $9,890-98 

The  property  of  the  institution  in  Decem- 
ber, 1830,  was  as  follows,  viz. :  — 
Books,    ....     $39,443-81 
Real  estate,  .         .  22,890-89 

Lecture-room,  .         .         15,550-82 

$  77,885-52 


ward,  Henderson  Inches,  Franklin  Dexter,  Charles  P.  Curtis,  John  Lowell,  Jr., 
Isaac  P.  Davis,  and  Edward  VVigglesworth. 


THE    BOSTON  ATHEN^UM.  127 

Amount  brought  forward,         .         .     $  77,885*52 
Deposits  in  Life  Office,  notes,  and  bank  stares,  31,350-00 
Paintings,  &c.,      .....  7,165-25 
Balance  in  hands  of  foreign  agents  and  Treas- 
urer,      509-21 

$  116,909-98 

Of  which  there  was  to  the  credit  of  the 

stock  account,  ....         114,184*25 

To  the  credit  of  the  Fine  Arts  fund,  .        1,925-73 

And  to  the  credit  of  the  fund  for  Audu- 
bon's Birds,         800-00 


$  116,909-98 

The  above  included  all  the  property  of  the  Athena3um, 

for  which  money  had  been  paid,  but  not  donations,  to  a  large 

amount,  of  real  estate,  books,  medals,  paintings,  cash,  &c. 

The  income  of  the  past  year  the  Treasurer  stated  to  have 

been $6,891-01 

And  the  expenses        ....  5,472-93 

And  he  expressed  his  belief  that  the  income  of  the  com- 
ing year  would  be  sufficient  to  meet  all  demands. 

The  Proprietors  then  proceeded  to  the  choice  of  officers, 
and,  John  Lowell,  Jr.  and  Josiah  Quincy,  Jr.  having  re- 
spectively resigned  the  offices  they  held  the  last  year, 
Samuel  A.  Eliot  was  elected  in  the  place  of  the  former, 
and  WiUiam  T.  Andrews  of  the  latter.* 

At  an  adjourned  meeting  of  the  Proprietors,  on  the  10th 
of  January,  a  report  of  a  committee,  that  "  it  was  not  ex- 
pedient, under  present  circumstances,  to  make  any  change 


*  Officers  chosen  in  1831. —  President,  Thomas  U.  Verkins  ;— Vice-Presi- 
dent, Francis  C.  Gray  ; — Treasurer,  Thomas  VV.  Ward  ;  —  Secrelarij,  VVilham 
T.  Andrews  5 —  Triistees,  Nathaniel  Bowditch,  George  Ticknor,  George  Hay- 
ward,  Henderson  Inches,  Franklin  Dexter,  Charles  P.  Curtis,  Isaac  P.  Davis, 
Edward  Wiggles  worth,  and  Samuel  A.  Eliot. 


128  HISTORY   OF 

in  the  existing  regulations  relative  to  the  assessment  levied 
on  the  Proprietors  for  the  privilege  "of  taking  books  from  the 
library,"  was  accepted  without  discussion.  The  thanks  of 
the  Proprietors  were  then  voted  to  Josiah  Quincy,  Jr.  for 
his  services  as  Secretary  to  the  Athenaeum  for  the  two  past 
years. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Trustees  in  May,  1831,  a  committee 
was  raised  to  purchase  of  the  family  of  the  late  Gilbert 
Stuart  the  original  portraits  by  him  of  General  and  Mrs. 
Washington.  This  committee  reported  in  December  follow- 
ing, that  they  had  been  enabled  to  effect  the  object  by  the 
encouragement  at  once  afforded  by  a  hberal  contribution 
from  the  Trustees  of  the  Washington  Monument  Association, 
and  from  private  individuals,  amounting  to  $  1,500.  "  With 
this  sum  they  purchased  from  the  family  of  the  late  Gilbert 
Stuart,  Esq., these  original  paintings,  which,  coming  direct- 
ly from  the  hand  of  the  most  distinguished  artist  who  ever 
attempted  the  likenesses  of  General  Washington  and  Mrs. 
Washington,  are  undoubtedly  the  most  valuable  and  the 
most  authentic  of  all  the  portraits  ever  taken  of  them." 

In  December  of  this  year,  the  committee  (Mr.  Ticknor) 
on  benefactors  and  donations,  reported,  that,  "  so  far  as  the 
Treasurer's  books,  the  records  of  the  Secretary,  the  reports 
of  committees,  or  any  other  memoranda  within  the  control 
of  the  institution,  contained  any  information  on  the  subject, 
a  list  of  all  the  donations  and  benefactors  to  the  Athenaeum 
has  been  made  out  and  recorded  in  a  suitable  volume  pre- 
pared for  that  purpose.  To  this  has  been  added,  in  another 
volume,  an  index  of  donors'  names  with  a  reference  to  the 
pages  of  the  first  volume,  in  which  their  gifts  are  specified ; 
so  that  the  two,  when  taken  together,  form,  it  is  hoped,  a 
complete  record  of  the  great  liberahty  which  has  been 
shown  to  this  institution.  At  any  rate,  the  record,  it  is  be- 
lieved, is  as  complete  as  can  be  made." 


THE    BOSTON   ATHEN^UM.  129 

The  books  given  to  the  Athenaeum,  during  the  then  twen- 
ty-four years  of  its  existence,  were  stated  by  the  same  com- 
mittee to  amount  to  about  five  thousand  volumes  ;  and,  to  the 
end  that  a  list  of  benefactors  and  their  gifts,  as  required 
by  the  by-laws,  might  hereafter  be  kept,  the  Trustees 
passed  a  resolve,  "  that  the  Librarian,  in  the  month  of  Jan- 
uary in  every  year,  give  to  the  standing  committee  of  the 
quarter  a  complete  list  of  all  benefactors  to  the  Athenaeum, 
and  of  their  gifts ;  and  that  the  standing  committee,  after 
examining  the  same,  cause  it  to  be  neatly  entered  in  the 
book  and  index  of  donations,  and  each  book  or  other  article 
thus  given  to  be  marked  with  the  donor's  name." 

A  committee  appointed  in  May  (Messrs.  Davis,  Ward, 
and  Ticknor)  reported  that  they  had  procured  a  portrait  of 
the  Hon.  Thomas  H.  Perkins  to  be  executed  by  Thomas 
SuUy  of  Philadelphia,  conformably  to  the  authority  vested 
in  them  by  the  Board. 

The  committee  on  that  subject  (Messrs.  Ticknor  and 
Gray)  reported  the  great  completeness  with  which  the 
pamphlets  belonging  to  the  institution  had  been  examined 
and  bound  according  to  the  tenor  of  two  votes  of  the  Board, 
under  one  of  which  above  eighteen  thousand  pamphlets  had 
been  bound  in  1,099  volumes,  and  entered  in  two  cata- 
logues, the  one  alphabetical,  and  the  other  according  to 
subjects,  — and  under  the  other  vote,  out  of  twelve  or  fif- 
teen thousand  pamphlets  lying  in  a  confused  mass,  about 
fourteen  hundred,  not  duphcates  of  those  bound,  had  been 
selected  and  boimd  in  82  volumes,  and  entered  appropri- 
ately in  the  alphabetical  and  scientific  catalogues  ;  —  "  the 
catalogue  according  to  subjects  being  divided  so  as  to  suit 
the  particular  nature  of  the  vast  collection  of  pamphlets  in 
the  Athenaeum,  and  being  provided  both  with  a  synoptical 
table  and  an  index,  so  that  any  one  of  the  subdivisions  of  its 
subjects  may  be  readily  found." 


130  HISTORY  OF 

This  mass  of  pamphlets  the  committee  regarded  as  consti- 
tuting one  of  the  most  curious  and  important  departments 
of  the  Athenaeum,  and,  being  now  for  the  first  time  made 
accessible,  as  of  great  value,  and  unequalled  by  any  sim- 
ilar collection  in  this  country.  To  prevent  its  being  over- 
looked, a  vote  proposed  by  the  committee  was  passed  by  the 
Trustees,  that  "  in  the  month  of  January,  in  every  year, 
the  Librarian  cause  to  be  bound  up  all  the  pamphlets,  not 
duphcates,  received  during  the  year  preceding,  and  furnish 
to  the  standing  committee  a  complete  list  of  them,  with  a 
reference  for  each  to  the  volume  in  which  it  is  contained ; 
and  that  the  committee,  after  adding  to  the  collection  of  the 
year  any  pamphlets  which  they  think  ought  to  be  pre- 
served in  the  Athenaeum,  shall  cause  the  whole  to  be  en- 
tered appropriately  in  the  two  catalogues  provided  for  that 
purpose." 


THE   BOSTON   ATHENiEUM.  131 


CHAPTER   VI. 

STATE    OF    THE     LIBRARY    AND      TREASURY PROPOSITION     TO     ENABLE 

PROPRIETORS  TO  TAKE  OUT  BOOKS  FREE  OF  CHARGE,  REJECTED  VOL- 
UMES   MISSING     FROM    THE   LIBRARY,    AND    MEASURES    TAKEN     ON    THE 

SUBJECT  —  TRIBUTE  TO    THE  MEMORY    OF    DR.  BOWDITCH MEASURES 

TAKEN     TO     ERECT     A    MONUMENT     TO     HIS     MEMORY DONATION    OF 

GEORGE   W.  BRIMMER  —  BEQUEST    OF   AMBROSE   S.  COURTIS,  AND    TRIB- 
UTE    TO     HIS     MEMORY  CATALOGUE    OF   COINS     BELONGING    TO    THE 

ATHEN^UM,     PREPARED     BY    CHARLES    F.    ADAMS TRUSTEES   OF   THE 

ATHEN^UM    APPOINTED    VISITORS     OF     THE     LOWELL     TRUST  —  MEAS- 
URES  ARE    TAKEN    FOR    THE    REMOVAL   OF    THE    ATHEN^UM   FROM    THE 

HOUSE    IN    PEARL    STREET THE    APPROBATION    OF    THE     WIDOW    OF 

THE  DONOR   IS    SOLICITED  AND  GRANTED PROSPEROUS   STATE  OF  THE 

INSTITUTION. 

At  the  annual  meeting  of  the  Proprietors  on  the  2d  of 
January,  1832,  the  committee  for  the  examination  of  the 
Library  reported  the  books  to  be  generally  in  good  condi- 
tion, the  number  of  volumes  now  belonging  to  the  institu- 
tion to  be  twenty-six  thousand  four  hundred  and  fourteen, 
of  which  799  had  been  purchased  during  the  last  year,  and 
60  had  been  given ;  —  and  that  sixteen  volumes  alone  were 
missing. 

By  the  report  of  the  Treasurer,  it  appeared  that,  from 
circumstances  stated,  he  apprehended  that  in  the  ensuing 
year  the  expenses  of  the  institution  might  exceed  its  in- 
come ;  that  the  net  proceeds  from  the  exhibition  of  pic- 
tures the  past  year  had  been  .         .  $  974-20 

And  there  had  been  expended  for  premiums, 
pictures,  and  bas-reliefs,  by  the  commit- 
tee on  the  Fine  Arts,  ....         1,000-00 


Leaving  a  balance  against  the  receipts  of  the 

season, $25-80 


132  HISTORY    OF 

The  present  balance  in  the  books  of  the 

Treasurer  to  the  credit  of  the' Fine  Arts 

fund  was $  1,532-10 

The  Treasurer  further  stated  that  the  whole 

property  of  the   Athenoeum  amounted 

to $119,234-44 

Of  which  the  stock  account 

was  .  .  .  .  $116,308-81 
Fine  Arts,  .  .  .  1,532-10 
Audubon  fund,  .  .  .  577-77 
Debt  to  Barings  &  Company,         815-76 

$  119,234-44 

At  the  election  of  officers  this  year,  it  appears  that  all 
those  of  the  preceding  year  were  elected  except  Hender- 
son Inches  and  Samuel  A.  Eliot,  who  had  declined  reelec- 
tion.* 

In  consequence  of  the  suggestion  of  the  Treasurer,  that 
the  expenditure  might  exceed  the  income  this  year,  the 
Trustees,  at  their  first  meeting,  directed  all  orders  for 
books  to  be  countermanded,  and  voted  that  no  orders  for 
books  be  sent  to  Europe  except  through  the  Treasurer. 
In  February  of  this  year,  a  bust  of  Dr.  Kirkland,  in  mar- 
ble, by  Horatio  Greenough,  was  presented  to  the  Trustees 
by  a  committee  of  citizens  of  the  United  States,  who  had 
casually  met  together  in  Italy ;  and  it  was  accepted  with  an 
appropriate  vote  of  thanks. 

In  October,  the  committee  on  the  Fine  Arts  reported, 
that  the  exhibition  of  pictures  this  year  had  been  satisfac- 
torily successful,  adding   a  net  amount  to  the  Fine  Arts 

*  Officers  chosen  in  1832.  — President,  Thomas  H.  Perkins  5  —  Vice-President, 
Francis  C.Gray; — Treasurer,  Thomas  W.  Ward; — Secretary,  William  T. 
Andrews  ;  —  Trustees,  Nathaniel  Bowditch,  Isaac  P.  Davis,  Charles  P.  Curtis, 
Edward  Wigglesworth,  Franklin  Dexter,  William  H.  Prescott,  George  Hay  ward, 
William  J.  Loring,  and  George  Tickuor. 


THE   BOSTON   ATHEN^UM.  133 

fund  not  far  from  $  1700,  and  that  the  result  afforded 
a  gratifying  proof  of  the  undiminished  interest  of  the  com- 
munity in  respect  to  this  branch  of  the  fine  arts.  Their 
recommendation  of  the  purchase  of  several  pictures  and 
books  on  the  arts  was  authorized  by  the  Trustees,  out  of 
the  Fine  Arts  fund.  At  the  end  of  the  year  the  standing 
committee  reported,  that  the  receipts  of  the  year  had  ex- 
ceeded the  expenditures  by  more  than  four  hundred  and 
thirty  dollars. 

At  the  annual  meeting  of  the  Proprietors  in  January, 
1833y  the  committee  on  the  Library  reported,  that  they 
found  it  in  good  order,  and  a  thorough  examination  easy, 
reflecting  much  credit  on  the  Librarian  ;  that  the  whole 
number  of  books  was,  in  May,  when  the  examination  took 
place,  27,157,  and  only  five  books  were  missing. 

The  Treasurer  reported  the  property  of  the  Athenaeum 
to  be $121,767-30 

Of  which  was  stock,        .     $  118,585-41 

Fine  Arts  fund,         .         .  1,954-61 

Audubon  fund,     .         .         .         577-77 

Due  Barings  &  Company,  649-51 


$  121,767-30 
It  appears  by  this  report,  that  the  net  amount  of  the  pro- 
ceeds of  the  exhibition  in  1832  was         .  $  1,705-97 
That  there  had  been  expended  in  the  pur- 
chase of  pictures,     ....  1,053-46 
And  the  present  balance  of  the  Fine  Arts 

fund  was 1,954-61 

At  this  meeting,  Thomas  H.  Perkins  declined,  by  letter, 
a  reelection  to  the  office  of  President ;  on  which  an  appro- 
priate vote  of  thanks  for  his  services  was  passed,  and  the 
other  officers  were  reelected.* 

*  OfTicers  chosen    in  1833.  —  President,  FrainciB  C.  Gray  3 — Vice-President, 


134  HISTORY    OF 

Two  motions,  the  one  for  keeping  the  reading-room  open, 
from  October  1st  to  April  1st,  until  10  o'clock,  P.  M.,  the 
other  for  permitting  the  Proprietors  to  take  out  books  free 
from  any  charge,  were  the  occasion  of  a  special  meeting  on 
the  14th  of  the  same  January,  at  which  both  propositions 
were  rejected  by  a  large  majority. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Trustees  in  December,  the  commit- 
tee on  the  Fine  Arts  reported  the  difficulty  of  arranging 
a  satisfactory  exhibition  of  pictures  this  year,  owing  to  the 
want  of  new  specimens  of  the  art,  and  the  increased  dis- 
crimination of  the  pubhc  taste  ;  —  that  they  had,  therefore, 
been  induced  to  make  a  contract  with  the  owner  of  a  collec- 
tion of  pictures,  the  exhibition  of  which  had  been  very  suc- 
cessful in  New  York ;  —  and  that  the  arrangement  had, 
upon  the  whole,  proved  advantageous,  the  net  proceeds  of 
the  exhibition  amounting,  for  the  Athenaeum's  share,  to 
$  1,122-94  ;  —  also,  that  they  had  purchased,  from  the  Fine 
Arts  fund,  a  painting  by  Washington  AUston,  called  "  Isaac 
of  York." 

At  the  annual  meeting  of  the  Proprietors  in  1834,  it 
appeared  by  the  report  of  the  committee  for  the  examina- 
tion of  the  Library,  that  it  was  found  in  good  order,  twelve 
volumes  only  were  missing,  and  the  whole  number  of  bound 
volumes  amounted  to  twenty-seven  thousand  four  hundred 
and  seventy. 

The  Treasurer  reported  that  the  income 

for  the  last  year  had  been  about         .  $  2,705*81 

The  general  expenses,    ....  2,643-65 

That  the  net  receipts  from  the  exhibition  of 

paintings  the  present  year  were     .         .         1,122*94 

George  Ticknor; — Treasurer,  Thomas  W.Ward; — Secretary,  William  T. 
Andrews;  —  rrusifcs,  Nathaniel  Bowditch,  George  Hayward,  Isaac  P.  Davis, 
Edward  VVigglesworth,  William  H.  Prescott,  Charles  P.  Curtis,  Franklin  Dex- 
ter, William  J.  Loring,  and  William  'V.  Andrews. 


THE   BOSTON   ATHENiEUM.  135 

That  there  had  been  expended  for  the  pur- 
chase of  pictures,  &c $  405*76 

And  the  present  balance  of  the  Fine  Arts 

fund  was 2,671-79 

The  property  of  the  Athenaeum  was  stated 

to  be 123,185-88 

Of  which  was  to  the  credit  of 
the  stock  account,       .      $  119,990-10 

FmeArts,         .         .         .         2,671-79 

Audubon  fund,  .         .         523-99 


1 123,185-88 
Letters  were  received  from  Dr.  Bowditch  and  Mr.  Tick- 
nor,  dechning  a  reelection,  and  votes  were  passed  expressing 
in  the  fullest  manner  the  high  sense  entertained  by  the 
Proprietors  of  the  value  of  their  services.  The  Proprietors 
then  reelected  all  the  other  officers  of  the  last  year,  George 
Hayward  being  made  Vice-President,  and  Thomas  G.  Gary 
and  Nathaniel  I.  Bowditch  added  to  the  Board  as  Trustees.* 
In  October  of  tliis  year,  the  expediency  of  purchasing 
for  the  Gallery  of  the  Athenoeum  the  four  great  architec- 
tural paintings  by  Pannini  came  under  the  consideration  of 
the  Trustees  ;  and  letters  were  received  from  several  artists 
expressing  their  high  estimation  of  those  paintings  and  their 
pecuniary  value.  It  being  suggested  that,  the  price  being 
$  8,000,  if  one  half  was  subscribed  by  the  Athengeum,  the 
other  half  could  be  raised  by  subscription,  the  Trustees 
voted  that  they  would  subscribe  for  the  purchase  of  two  of 
them  at  the  price  of  two  thousand  dollars  each,  provided 
that  the  other  two  should  be  purchased  and  presented  to 

*  Officers  chosen  in  1854. —  President,  Francis  C.Gray; — Vice-President, 
George  Hayward  ; —  Treasurer,  Thomas  W.  Ward  ; —  Secretary,  William  T. 
Andrews; — Trustees,  Isaac  P.Davis,  Edward  Wigglesworth,  Charles  P.Curtis, 
Franklin  Dexter,  William  J.  Loring,  William  H.  Prescott,  Thomas  G.  Cary,  Na- 
thaniel I.  Bowditch,  and  William  T.  Andrews. 


136  HISTORY   OF 

the  Athengeum.  In  the  November  succeeding,  the  pictures 
were  purchased  for  $  6,000,  four  thousand  dollars  being 
paid  out  of  the  Fine  Arts  fund  in  conformity  with  this  vote. 

At  the  annual  meeting  of  the  Proprietors  in  January, 
1835,  the  committee  for  examining  the  Library  reported 
its  general  state  to  be  highly  satisfactory,  fourteen  volumes 
to  be  missing,  and  the  whole  number  of  volumes  to  be  twen- 
ty-eight thousand  one  hundred  and  twenty-one. 

The  Treasurer  reported  the  income  for  the 
past  year  to  have  amounted  to      .         •       $  8,108-81 

And  the  general  expenses  and  repairs  to  2,147*71 

That  the  proceeds  of  the  exhibition  of  paint- 
ings this  year  amounted,  for  the  Athe- 
naeum, to      $1,324-32 

And  that  there  was  a  balance,  now  remaining 
in  the  Treasurer's  hands  to  the  credit  of 
the  Fine-Arts  fund,  of        .         .         .  2,922-50 

That  the  property  of  the  Athenaeum  amount- 
ed to        124,591-83 

Of  which  was  stock,         .    $  121,145-34 

Fine  Arts  fund,      .      .         .       2,922-50 

Audubon  fund,  .       .         .      523-99 


$  124,591-83 
Charles  P.  Curtis  having  resigned,  the  Proprietors  pro- 
ceeded to  a  choice  of  officers,  and  reelected  all  others  of 
the  preceding  year,  and  also  Samuel  May  in  place  of  Mr. 
Curtis.* 
At  a  meeting  of  the  Trustees  in  March,  1835,  a  letter 

*  Officers  chosen  in  1835.  —  President,  Francis  C.Gray; — Vice-President, 
George  Hay  ward  ; — Treasurer,  Thomas  W.Ward; — Secretary,  WUVmm  T. 
Andrews; — Trustees,  Edward  Wigglesworth,  Isaac  P.Davis,  Samuel  May, 
Franklin  Dexter,  William  J.  Loring,  William  H.  Prescott,  Thomas  G.  Cary,Na- 
thaniel  I.  Bowditch,  and  William  T.  Andrews. 


THE   BOSTON   ATHEN^UM,  137 

was  received  from  Thomas  H.  Perkins,  oiFering  to  subscribe 
five  hundred  dollars  towards  erecting  a  north  wing  to  the 
Athenaeum  building,  to  receive  statuary,  casts,  kc,  provided 
a  sufficient  sum  could  be  raised  without  encroaching  on  the 
funds  of  the  institution ;  and  also  presenting  to  the  Athe- 
naeum a  marble  bust  of  Chief  Justice  Marshall,  by  Frazee. 
Whereupon  a  vote  of  thanks  was  passed  "  for  these  two  in- 
stances of  his  habitual  munificence  towards  the  institution." 

At  the  annual  meeting  of  the  Proprietors  in  January, 
1836,  the  committee  on  the  Library  reported  its  state  to  be 
satisfactory ;  only  eight  volumes  missing,  and  the  whole 
number  of  volumes  twenty-eight  thousand  nine  hundred 
and  nineteen. 

The  Treasurer  reported  that  the  general  expenses  of  the 
Athenaeum,  including  books,  periodicals,  and  general  re- 
pairs, were  estimated  at  about        .         .  ^  3,000*00 

The  income  for  these  purposes  at  .  2,600*00 

This  difference  arose  partly  from  the  falHng  off  of  rents, 
and  partly  from  the  increasing  expense  for  the  purchase  of 
books,  and  the  yearly  increasing  value  of  the  department 
of  the  fine  arts. 

The  Treasurer  stated  that  the  whole  property  of  the 
Athenaeum  was $127,331-89 

The  whole  amount  of  stock,  $  125,913*31 

Audubon  fund,  .         .  430*99 

Fine  Arts  department,  .         .        141*17 

Due  the  Treasurer,     .         .  846*42 


$  127,331*89 

It  appears  by  the  above  report  and  the  Treasurer's  books, 

that  the  net  receipts  from  the  exhibition  of  pictures  in  the 

year  1835  were $1,676*00 

That  the  sum  paid  for  the  paintings  by 
Pannini,  and  for  other  objects  connected 
with  the  Fine  Arts  was      .         .         .         $  4,457*33 


138  HISTORY    OF 

Which  so  far  exhausted  the  whole  fund  as  to 

leave  to  its  credit  only  ...         $  141*17 

At  this  meeting  the  former  hoard  of  oflBcers  were  reelect- 
ed, with  the  exception  of  Franklin  Dexter  and  Wilham  J. 
Loring,  who  had  resigned.* 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Trustees  in  March,  1836,  Mr.  Bow- 
ditch,  in  behalf  of  several  gentlemen  who  had  been  students 
at  law  in  the  office  of  Wilham  Prescott,  presented  to  the 
Athenasum  a  bust  of  that  gentleman,  by  Frazee ;  and,  in 
August,  Thomas  H.  Perkins,  Jr.,  presented  a  picture  of 
"  Eberhart,  Comte  de  Wirtemberg,  mourning  over  the  Body 
of  his  Son"  ;  for  both  of  which  suitable  thanks  were  voted. 

At  the  annual  meeting  of  the  Proprietors,  in  January, 
1837,  the  committee  on  the  Library  reported  in  general  its 
good  state.  About  forty-six  volumes  were  missing,  but  they 
were  not  such  as  were  the  most  valuable,  or  as  it  would 
be  difficult  to  replace.  The  total  number  of  volumes  on 
the  day  of  their  examination  was  twenty-nine  thousand  one 
hundred  and  eighty-four. 

The  Treasurer  reported  that  the  income  for  the  last  year, 
applicable  to  general  expenses,  was    .         .         $  2,648*65 

And  the  general  expense  was         .         .  2,481*37 

The  whole  property  of  the  Athenaeum  was  $  128,591-90 

Of  which  the  credit  to  the  stock 

account  was        .  .     $  127,340-60 

The  Fine  Arts  fund,      .         .         942-23 

Audubon  fund,    .       .         .  302-47 

6-60 

$  128,591-90 

*  Officers  chosen  in  183G. —  President,  Francis  C.Gray; —  Vice-President, 
George  Hay  ward  ; —  Treasurer,  Thomas  W.  Ward  ; —  Secretary,  William  T. 
Andrews; — Trustees,  Isaac  P.  Davis,  Edward  Wigglesworth,  Samuel  May, 
William  H.  Prescott,  Thomas  G.  Gary,  Nathaniel  I.  Bowditch,  William  T.  An- 
drews, John  A.  Lowell,  and  Samuel  Lawrence. 


Treasurer,     .        .         .         .  6-60 


THE    BOSTOX   ATHEN^DM.  139 

That  the  proceeds  of  the  exhibition  of  paint- 
ings for  the  year  1836  were         .         .       $  1,770-00 

There  had  been  paid,  as  appears  by  his 
books,  for  busts,  paintings,  and  inciden- 
tal charges,         968-94 

And  that  the  present  balance  to  the  credit 

of  the  Fine  Arts  fund  was  .  .  $  912-23 

The  above  statement  of  property  included  only  that 
which  had  been  paid  for,  and  not  the  large  amount,  of  various 
kinds,  which  had  been  presented  to  the  institution. 

A  vote  was  then  passed,  oifering  a  reward  of  one  hundred 
dollars  for  the  conviction  of  any  one  for  having  stolen  any 
of  the  books  reported  to  be  missing,  and  that  a  list  of  them 
should  be  published  in  two  newspapers. 

Thomas  W.  Ward  having,  at  this  meeting,  decUned  a  re- 
election as  Treasurer,  an  appropriate  vote  was  passed,  ac- 
knowledging his  valuable  services  in  that  office  for  nine  years, 
and  in  promoting  the  general  interests  of  the  institution ;  and 
expressing  the  regret  of  the  Proprietors,  that  his  engage- 
ments did  not  permit  a  longer  continuance  of  his  services. 

Francis  C.  Gray  also  now  declined  a  reelection  to  the 
office  of  President ;  and  a  hke  vote  was  passed,  assuring  him 
of  the  due  appreciation,  by  the  Proprietors,  of  his  high  qual- 
ifications for  that  office,  of  the  liberality  he  had  manifested 
in  himself  and  promoted  in  others  towards  the  institution, 
and  of  the  various  important  services  he  had  rendered  to  it. 
The  Proprietors  then  proceeded  to  reelect  the  officers  of  the 
preceding  year,  with  the  exception  of  those  who  had  re- 
signed.* 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Trustees  in  March,  1837,  Isaac  P. 

*  Officers  chosen  in  1837.  —  President,  George  Hayward  ;  —  Vice-President, 
Thomas  G.  Gary  ; — Treasurer,  Josiah  Quincy,  Jr.; — Secret??/,  William  T. 
Andrews;—  Trustees,  Edward  Wigglesworth,  William  T.  Andrews,  Natiianiel 
I.  Bowditchj  William  H.  Prescott,  Samuel  Lawrence,  Thomas  B.  Curtis,  Isaac 
P.  Davis,  Samuel  May,  and  John  A.  Lowell. 


140  HISTORY   OF 

Davis  reported,  that  in  pursuance  of  an  authority  vested  in 
him  he  had  exchanged  the  picture"  of  "  The  Mother  and 
Child  "  bj  Allston,  for  a  "  Flower  and  Fruit  Piece  "  by 
Peter  Boel,  and  had  paid  $  100  in  exchange. 

In  May,  Mr.  Davis  reported  that  he  had  bought  for  the 
Athenaeum,  as  authorized  by  the  Trustees,  the  picture  of 
"  St.  Cecilia,"  by  Copley,  and  also  certain  pictures  belong- 
ing to  Henry  Pickering,  and  that  Mr.  Pickering  had  pre- 
sented to  the  Athenreum  two  pictures  in  addition. 

A  portrait  of  West,  by  Allston,  purchased  by  Thomas 
Dwight,  J.  S.  Copley  Greene,  B.  D.  Greene,  Mrs.  Gardi- 
ner Greene,  Francis  C.  Lowell,  R.  Crafts,  W.  A.  Lawrence, 
and  R.  C.  Hooper,  was  now  presented  by  them  to  the 
Athenaeum,  and  the  thanks  of  the  Trustees  were  voted. 

At  the  annual  meeting  of  the  Proprietors,  in  January, 
1838,  the  committee  for  examining  the  Library  reported 
that  it  was  found  in  good  condition,  with  the  exception  of 
twenty-six  volumes  missing ;  and  that  the  whole  number  of 
volumes  now  in  the  Library  appeared,  by  the  Librarian's 
computation,  to  be  thirty  thousand  and  twenty-eight. 

The  Treasurer  reported  the  whole  property  of  the  Athe- 
nceum  to  be 

Books $49,513-40 

Real  estate, 22,890-89 

Lecture-room,         .....         15,550-82 
Paintings  and  busts,    ....  14,483-63 

Productive  property,      ....         30,233-00 


To  the  credit  of  stock,  $  128,765-48 

Fine  Arts  fund,  ,         .  873-11 

Audubon  fund,       .         .       .         302-47 
Ambrose  S.  Courtis's  donation,     2,000-67 

$  131,941-73 


$132,671-74 


THE   EOSTOX   ATHEN^UM.  141 


Amount  brought  forward,  $  131,941-73 
Debt  to  Barings  &  Co.  .  .  196-19 
Due  to  Treasurer,      .         .  533-82 


$  132,671-74 

It  appears  also  by  the  books  of  the  Treasurer  that  the 

net  proceeds  of  the  exhibition  of  paintings,  for  the  year 

1837,  amounted  to $  524-88 

At  this  annual  meeting  all  the  officers  of  the  preceding 
year  were  reelected. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Trustees  in  April,  1838,  the  follow- 
ing tribute  to  the  memory  of  Dr.  Bowditch  was  unanimous- 
ly passed :  — ■ 

"  Since  our  last  meeting  our  country  has  been  called  to 
mourn  the  death  of  one  of  its  most  distinguished  men,  the 
late  Nathaniel  Bowditch.  The  connection  of  the  deceased 
with  the  Boston  Athenaeum  was  so  beneficial  to  this  institu- 
tion, that  the  Trustees  are  urged  alike  by  official  duty  and 
by  private  feelings  to  express  their  sense  of  his  loss. 

"  This  institution  is  deeply  indebted  to  the  late  Dr.  Boav- 
ditch  for  the  zeal  with  which  he  labored  to  advance  its 
interests.  Finding  it  weak,  he  determined,  in  connection 
with  several  other  public-spirited  individuals,  to  make  it 
prosper.  Their  appeals  to  the  munificence  of  our  wealthy 
citizens  were  successful,  and  the  resources  of  the  Athe- 
naeum were  greatly  increased. 

"  For  several  years  Dr.  Bowditch,  continuing  a  member 
of  this  Board,  aided  in  the  application  of  the  funds  which 
he  had  done  so  much  to  procure  ;  and  the  high  rank  which 
the  scientific  portion  of  our  Library  enjoys  among  similar 
institutions  in  the  United  States  is,  in  a  great  measure, 
owing  to  his  judgment  and  exertions. 

"  But  Dr.  Bowditch  has  far  higher  claims  to  notice.  He 
stood  at  the  head  of  the  scientific  men  of  this  country,  and 


142  HISTORY    OF 

no  man  living  has  contributed  more  to  his  country's  repu- 
tation. His  fame  is  of  the  most  durable  kind,  resting  on 
the  union  of  the  highest  genius  with  the  most  practical 
talent,  and  the  application  of  both  to  the  good  of  his  fellow- 
men.  Every  American  ship  crosses  the  ocean  with  more 
safety  for  his  labors,  and  the  most  eminent  mathematicians 
of  Europe  have  acknowledged  him  their  equal  in  the  highest 
walks  of  their  science.  His  last  great  work  ranks  with  the 
noblest  productions  of  our  age. 

"  But  it  is  not  merely  the  benefactor  of  this  institution, 
and  the  illustrious  mathematician  whose  labors  have  given 
safety  to  commerce  and  reputation  to  his  country,  whom 
we  lament.  It  is  one,  whose  whole  life  was  directed  to 
good  ends,  who  combined  the  greatest  energy  with  the  kind- 
est feehngs,  who  was  the  friend  of  every  good  man  and 
every  good  undertaking,  the  enemy  of  oppression,  the  pa- 
tron of  merit,  the  warm-hearted  champion  of  truth  and 
virtue.  It  is  the  companion,  whose  simple  manners  and 
amiable  disposition  put  every  one  at  ease  in  his  presence, 
notwithstanding  the  respect  which  his  genius  inspired ;  and 
who  could  turn  apparently  without  effort  from  the  profound- 
est  investigations,  to  take  his  part,  with  the  light-heartedness 
of  a  child,  in  the  mirth  of  the  social  circle.  His  heart  was 
as  tender  as  his  intellect  was  powerful.  His  family  found 
him  as  affectionate  as  he  was  wise.  He  was  equally  their 
delight  and  their  pride.  They  could  have  no  richer  inherit- 
ance than  his  character,  and  nothing  but  such  a  character 
could  afford  them  consolation  for  such  a  loss. 

"  Filled  with  a  conviction  of  the  truth  of  what  is  here 
stated,  the  Trustees  desire  to  express  it.     Therefore  it  is 

"  Voted,  that  the  Trustees  tender  their  sincere  sympathy 
to  the  family  of  the  deceased,  for  the  loss  of  one,  as  estimable 
in  his  private  relations  as  in  his  public.  And,  while  they  know 
that  no  adequate  consolation  can  be  afforded  under  such  a 


THE   BOSTON   ATHEN^UM.  143 

calamity,  they  trust  that  some  may  be  felt  in  the  contem- 
plation of  a  life  so  gloriously  spent,  and  which  has  left 
enduring  monuments  of  excellence  in  every  department, 
■whether  of  science  or  of  practical  utiUty,  to  which  it  has 
been  devoted. 

"  Voted,  that  the  Secretary  be  instnicted  to  present  a 
copy  of  the  foregoing  preamble  and  resolution  to  the  family 
of  the  deceased." 

At  a  subsequent  meeting  the  Trustees  appointed  a  com- 
mittee to  cooperate  with  those  of  other  societies  in  erecting 
a  monument,  at  Mount  Auburn,  to  the  memory  of  Dr.  Bow- 
ditch.  : 

In  May  of  this  year,  the  Trustees  effected  the  purchase 
of  the  following  pictures,  out  of  a  collection  brought  to  this 
country  by  Count  Celestini ;  namely,  "  Judith  "  ;  "A  Head 
of  Christ" ;  two  landscapes  by  Vanderwert ;  a  landscape  by 
Boquet ;  a  landscape  by  Gaspar  Poussin  ;  a  landscape,  with 
figures,  by  ZucchereUi  ;  a  portrait  of  himself  by  Rembrandt ; 
and  a  portrait  by  Vandyke  ;  the  expense  of  this  purchase 
being  four  thousand  dollars. 

Mr.  Davis,  from  the  committee  on  the  Fine  Arts,  report- 
ed that  Dr.  S.  Townsend  had  presented  to  the  Athenaeum  a 
portrait,  painted  by  Sir  Thomas  Lawrence  at  the  age  of  thir- 
teen years  ;  for  which  thanks  were  voted.  Mr.  Davis  also 
stated,  that  some  gentlemen  were  desirous  that  the  Athe- 
naeum should  procure  the  magnificent  work,  on  "  The  An- 
tiquities of  Mexico,"  by  Augustine  Aglio,  edited  by  Lord 
Kingsborough,  in  seven  volumes,  imperial  foho,  and  that 
$  150  would  be  subscribed  by  them  towards  the  object ; 
whereupon  the  Trustees  voted  to  purchase  the  work,  pro- 
vided the  whole  cost  should  not  exceed  $400. 

In  November,  Mr.  Davis  presented  to  the  Athenaeum  a 
bust  of  Nicholas  Biddle,  and  Mr.  Longworth  presented  a 
beautiful  cast  of  a  bas-relief  portrait  of  Powers,  the  sculptor. 


144  HISTORY   OF 

In  the  month  of  September,  George  "W.  Brimmer  trans- 
mitted to  the  Athenaeum  a  large  and-  magnificent  collection 
of  works,  chiefly  in  folio,  embracing  illustrations  of  archi- 
tecture and  architectural  ornaments,  and  engravings  of 
works  of  the  great  masters  in  painting  and  architecture  ; 
also  an  extraordinarily  fine  painting,  being  an  ancient  copy  of 
Guide's  "  Martyrdom  of  St.  Sebastian,"  and  a  portrait  of 
that  painter  at  an  early  period  of  his  life  ;  all  constituting 
one  of  the  most  splendid  accessions  to  the  collections  of  the 
Athenaeum  from  the  munificence  of  any  individual.  For  this 
an  appropriate  vote  of  thanks  was  passed  by  the  Trustees, 
who  directed  that  the  books  be  preserved  in  suitable  cases, 
and  each  volume  be  marked  with  the  inscription,  "  The 
Brimmer  Donation."  About  the  same  time  a  very  valuable 
donation  of  copies  of  a  "  Cattle  Piece  "  by  Cuyp,  and  a 
"  Holy  Family  "  by  Murillo,  Avas  received  from  Francis  C. 
Gray,  and  suitably  acknowledged  by  the  Trustees. 

At  the  annual  meeting  in  January,  1839,  the  examining 
committee  on  the  Library  reported  it  to  be  in  good  condition, 
the  number  of  missing  volumes  since  the  last  examination 
to  be  fifteen,  and  the  whole  number  of  volumes  in  the  Li- 
brary to  be  thirty  thousand  two  hundred  and  eighty-six. 

The  committee  on  the  Fine  Arts  reported,  that  the  re- 
ceipts from  the  exhibition  of  paintings  in  1838  were  up- 
wards of  twelve  hundred  dollars,  and  stated,  respecting  the 
purchase  of  pictures  made  of  Celestini,  above  mentioned, 
that  they  were  of  rare  merit,  such  as  seldom  reach  our 
shores,  were  in  various  styles  of  painting,  and  had  been  se- 
lected by  gentlemen  of  judgment  and  taste  from  Celestini's 
whole  collection.  The  opportunity  of  obtaining  such  pic- 
tures being  of  unfrequent  occurrence,  they  had  ventured  to 
anticipate  the  proceeds  of  the  exhibitions  of  future  years 
for  two  of  the  payments,  of  a  thousand  dollars  each.  The 
committee,  after  recapitulating  the  great  value  of  the  Library 


THE   BOSTON   ATHENiEUM.  145 

of  the  institution  and  of  its  collections  of  paintings  and  stat- 
ues, recently  increased  by  the  donations  of  Mr.  Brimmer 
and  Mr.  Gray,  declared  their  opinion  that  the  whole  was  too 
valuable  to  be  kept  in  the  Athenaeum  building,  subject  to  the 
many  disadvantages  and  dangers  which  they  enumerated. 
They  felt  constrained,  therefore,  to  urge  upon  the  attention 
of  the  Proprietors  the  necessity  of  erecting  a  building  for  the 
safe  and  permanent  deposit  of  the  pictures  and  statuary. 

At  this  meeting  the  subject  of  a  final  settlement  with  the 
heirs  of  Ambrose  S.  Courtis  came  under  the  consideration 
of  the  Proprietors. 

By  the  will  of  Mr.  Courtis,  five  thousand  dollars  were 
bequeathed  to  the  Atheneeum,  on  condition  that  the  sum 
should  "  be  placed  at  compound  interest  until,  with  other 
donations  for  the  like  purpose  and  object,  it  should  amount 
to  one  million  of  dollars,  when  it  should  become  the  outright 
property  of  the  Proprietors  of  the  Athengeum,  be  funded, 
and  the  interest  or  income  be  applied  for  ever  to  the  pur- 
chase of  books  and  the  general  support  of  the  institution." 
By  the  same  will,  another  sum  of  five  thousand  dollars  was 
bequeathed  to  the  Athenseum  on  like  terms,  the  interest  or 
income  of  the  fund,  when  it  attained  the  amount  of  one  mil- 
lion of  dollars,  "  to  be  applied  to  the  formation  of  a  Gallery 
of  Paintings,  to  be  executed  by  artists  born  in  the  New 
England  States." 

The  amount  specified  in  the  above  conditions  respective- 
ly being  far  greater  than  the  Athengeum,  by  its  charter, 
was  permitted  to  hold,  it  was  supposed  that  it  would  be  ne- 
cessary to  apply  to  the  legislature  for  liberty  to  accept  it,  if, 
notwithstanding  other  objections,  its  acceptance  should  be 
deemed  advisable  ;  and  it  was  doubted  whether  the  legisla- 
ture could  be  induced  to  grant  such  an  authority,  consider- 
ing the  repugnancy  of  the  terms  of  the  bequest  to  the  known 
principles  of  the  Constitution  and  the  policy  of  the  Com- 

19 


146  HISTORY    OF 

monwealth  in  respect  to  the  free  transmission  of  property. 
A  committee,  which  had  been  appointed  on  this  subject, 
after  recapitulating  the  difficulties  incident  to  the  nego- 
tiation, reported  that  a  compromise  had  been  proposed  by 
the  heirs  of  Mr.  Courtis,  and  acceded  to  by  the  committee, 
and  that  the  Athengeum  was  to  receive  the  sum  of  five 
thousand  dollars  free  of  all  restriction,  in  lieu  of  the  com- 
plicated and  embarrassing  conditions  annexed  to  these  leg- 
acies by  the  testator.  Their  report  was  accepted  by  the 
Proprietors. 

Ambrose  S.  Courtis  was  a  merchant  of  great  respecta- 
bility in  the  city  of  Boston,  who,  after  accumulating  a  hand- 
some property  by  a  hfe  of  professional  diligence  and  skill, 
in  addition  to  the  liberal  intentions  above  indicated  in  favor 
of  the  objects  of  the  Athenaeum,  also  devoted  a  large  por- 
tion of  his  property  for  the  benefit  of  the  Massachusetts 
General  Hospital  and  the  Natural  History  Society,  and  in 
aid  of  the  elementary  education  of  the  poor  in  Boston,  Sa- 
lem, and  Marblehead. 

The  Treasurer,  at  this  meeting,  reported  that  the  in- 
come for  the  past  year,  applicable  to  the  general  expenses, 
was $3,729-80 

And  the  general  expenses  and  books  Avere  2,285-83 

That  the  balance  of  the  Fine 

Arts  fund  last  year  was  $  873-11 

The  proceeds  of  the  annual  ex- 
hibition of  paintings,  .         978-95 

1,852-06 
Paid  this  year  on  their  account,      684-44 

Balance  to  the  credit  of  this 
fund      ....      $1,167-62 

That  the  whole  property  of  the  institution 

was $138,707-55 


THE   BOSTON  ATHEN^UM.  147 


Of  which  was  to    the  credit 

of  stock,     .         .        .  $131,177-68 

Audubon  fund,    .         .  .  302-47 

Ambrose  S.  Courtis,        .  5,107-67 

Baring,  Brothers,  &  Co.,  .  250-22 

Fine  Arts,      .         .         .  1,167-62 

Bowditch  Monument    .  .  701-89 


$  138,707-55 

At  this  meeting  Samuel  Lawrence  resigned  his  seat  at 

the  board  of  Trustees,  and  the  Proprietors  proceeded  to  re. 

elect  all  the  other  officers,  substituting  Enoch  Hale  in  the 

place  of  Mr.  Lawrence.* 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Trustees  in  February,  1839,  the 
thanks  of  the  board  were  voted  to  Charles  Francis  Adams 
for  a  catalogue  of  the  coins  of  the  Athenseum,  which  he 
had  kindly  and  skilfully  prepared.  The  Trustees  also 
voted,  that  one  half  of  the  amount  received  from  the  exec- 
utors of  Ambrose  S.  Courtis  should  be  devoted  to  the 
"  Fine  Arts  Fund." 

Notice  having  been  received  from  John  A.  Lowell, 
executor  of  the  will  of  John  Lowell,  Jr.,  that  the  Trus- 
tees of  the  Athenaeum  had  been  appointed  visitors  of  the 
trust  created  by  that  will,  a  vote  was  passed  by  the  board, 
directing  that  the  opinion  be  obtained  in  writing,  of  coun- 
sel learned  in  the  law,  concerning  the  duties  and  Habil- 
ities  of  the  Trustees  of  the  Boston  Athenaeum  under  this 
trust ;  and,  at  their  meeting  in  March,  an  opinion  was  re- 
ceived, that  the  acts  of  the  Trustees  as  visitors  of  the  Low- 
ell trust  would  not  bind  or  compromise  the  corporation  in  any 

*  Officers  chosen  in  1839.  —  President,  George  Hayward; —  Vice-President, 
Thomas  G.  Gary; — Treasurer,  Josiah  Quincy,  Jr. ; — Secretanj,  William  T. 
Andrews; — Trustees,  Isaac  P.  Davis,  Samuel  May,  Edward  Wigglesworth, 
William  H.  Prescott,  Nathaniel  I.  Bowditch,  William  T.  Andrews,  Thomas  B. 
Curtis,  John  A.  Lowell,  and  Enoch  Hale. 


148  HISTOllY   OF 

way  ;  that  the  performance  of  the  duty  of  \asitors  -would  be 
a  voluntary  act  of  the  individuals  composing  the  board,  and 
might  be  withheld  or  dechned  at  pleasure  ;  that  the  acts  of 
the  Trustees,  as  visitors,  ought  not  to  be  recorded  in  the 
book  of  records  of  the  Athenaeum,  but  in  a  separate  volume  ; 
and  that  the  trust  fund  would  be  responsible  for  any  costs  or 
expenses  incurred  by  the  \dsitors  in  enforcing  a  compliance 
by  the  trustee  with  the  provisions  of  the  will,  unless  such 
costs  be  charged  by  the  court  on  the  trustee.  Whereupon  a 
vote  was  passed  by  the  Trustees,  accepting  the  trust  of  vis- 
itors of  the  Lowell  Fund,  according  to  the  limitations  and 
explanations  of  the  liabilities  incurred  thereby,  as  laid  down 
in  the  above-stated  legal  opinion. 

When  the  Athenaeum  was  removed  to  the  estate  bestow- 
ed by  James  Perkins,  Pearl  Street  was  the  residence  of 
private  famiUes ;  but,  in  1839,  the  increase  of  business  and 
the  erection  of  warehouses  in  that  vicinity  impressed  upon 
a  great  majority  of  the  friends  of  the  Athenaeum  the  neces- 
sity of  its  removal  to  some  other  part  of  the  city.  Prelim- 
inary to  such  a  step,  it  was  deemed  proper  to  ascertain 
the  views  and  feehngs,  on  the  subject,  of  Mrs.  Perkins, 
the  widow  of  him' from  whose  bounty  a  large  portion  of 
their  whole  estate  in  Pearl  Street  had  been  derived.  The 
Trustees,  in  June,  1839,  appointed  a  committee  on  the  sub- 
ject, consisting  of  John  A.  Lowell  and  Thomas  B.  Curtis. 
This  committee  accordingly  addressed  a  letter  to  that  lady, 
in  which  they  stated,  that  an  opinion  had  long  been  enter- 
tained by  the  friends  of  the  institution,  that  a  more  central 
situation  would  increase  the  patronage  both  of  the  Ubrary 
and  of  the  exhibition,  by  adding  to  the  facility  of  access  and 
keeping  them  more  constantly  under  the  pubhc  eye  ;  that, 
knowing  the  peculiar  interest  she  took  in  the  Athenaeum, 
the  Trustees  could  not  consent  to  take  any  steps  without 
consulting  her  upon  the  subject,  and  they  therefore  ventured 


THE   BOSTON   ATHEN^UM.  149 

to  solicit  her  approbation  of  such  removal ;  —  adding,  that 
"  they  would  not  make  the  request,  were  they  not  persuad- 
ed that  the  proposed  change  is  one  which  will  serve  but  to 
perfect  the  good  work  so  nobly  commenced  by  your  hus- 
band." 

To  this  communication  Mrs.  Perkins  replied  in  a  letter 
expressing  her  thanks  for  the  kindness  and  delicacy  which 
suggested  the  application  to  her  ;  and,  although  the  removal 
might  be  of  some  inconvenience  to  her,  it  would  iU  accord, 
she  said,  with  her  feelings  towards  the  institution,  to  oppose 
any  selfish  considerations  to  a  measure  calculated  to  pro- 
mote its  prosperity  and  public  usefulness.  She  then  gave 
her  free  assent  to  the  proposed  removal,  should  it  be 
thought  expedient. 

At  the  annual  meeting  of  the  Proprietors  in  January, 
18 iO,  the  committee  on  the  examination  of  the  Library  re- 
ported it  to  be  in  good  condition,  and  only  seven  volumes 
missing  since  the  last  examination.  The  whole  number  of 
volumes  was  thirty  thousand  nine  hundred  and  eighty-one. 

The  Treasurer  also  reported,  that  the  in- 
come of  the  past  year,  applicable  to  the 
general  expenses,  was  ...       $  2,808-93 

The  general  expenses  and  books  were    .         .     1,750-36 

That  the    receipt  from  the   exhibition  of 

paintings,  for  the  year  1839,  was  .         .         1,718-07 

The    whole    property    of   the    institution 

was 1139,297-64 

In  real  estate,  .         .     $  22,890-89 

Lecture-room,      .         .         .     15,550-82 

Paintings,  busts,  &c.,        .         18,833-63 

Books,        ....     52,103-27 


109,378-61 
Productive  property,         .         29,919-03 


$  139,297-64 


150  HISTORY   OF 

To  the  credit  of  stock,  $  135,224-54 

Audubon  fund,       .         .         .         93*77 
Fine  Arts  .         .         .         3,979-33 


$139,297-64 

At  this  meeting  all  the  officers  of  the  preceding  year 
were  reelected. 

At  the  annual  meeting  of  the  Proprietors  in  January, 
1841,  the  committee  for  examining  the  Library  reported, 
that  nineteen  volumes  had  been  lost  during  the  year,  gen- 
erally of  little  intrinsic  value,  one  or  two  only  being  impor- 
tant either  from  their  nature  or  their  connection  with  sets  ; 
that  the  whole  number  received  during  the  year  was  eight 
hundred  and  seven ;  that  the  whole  number  of  the  volumes 
in  the  Library  now  amounted  to  thirty-one  thousand  eight 
hundred  and  seven  ;  and  that  the  general  result  of  their 
examination  was  gratifying,  and  indicative  of  the  fidelity  of 
the  Librarian. 

The  Treasurer  also  reported,  that  the  income  for  the  past 
year,  applicable  to  general  expenses,  was        .     $  2,576-40 

And  the  general  expenses  and  books  were  1,890-89 

That   the   proceeds  of  the    exhibition  of 

paintings  for  1840  were  .         .         .      638-31 

The  balance  of  the  Fine  Arts  fund  at  the 

end  of  the  last  year  was       .         .         .         3,979-33 


Making  a  balance  in  its  favor         .         .         $  4,617*64 

That  for  nine  pictures  bought 
of  Celestini  had  been  paid     $  4,000-00 

And  otherwise  for  this  depart- 
ment       ....         451-40 


4,451-40 


Leaving  the  balance  to  the  credit  of  this  fund     $  166-24 


THE   BOSTON   ATHENiEUM.  151 

That  the  whole  property  of  the  Athenasum 

was $140,651-78 

Of  which  there  was  to  the  credit  of  stock,       140,391-77 
To  the  credit  of  the  Fine  Arts,         .         .  166-24 

Audubon's  Ornithology,         .         .         .  93-77 

$  140,651-78 


152  HISTORY   OF 


CHAPTER  VII. 

MEASURES  TAKEN    FOR  REMOVING  THE  INSTITUTION  —  CRAWFORD's  MAR- 
BLE   STATUE  OF  ORPHEUS    PURCHASED BUILDING    ERECTED  FOR  IT 

GREAT  ENLARGEMENT  OF  THE  FUNDS  OF  THE  ATHEN^UM,  ON  CONDI- 
TION   OF    ITS    REMOVAL  —  A  SITE    ON  TREMONT  STREET    PURCHASED 

PREMIUM    OFFERED    FOR    THE    BEST    PLAN    OF    A  NEW    EDIFICE THAT 

OFFERED  BY  GEORGE  M.  DEXTER  ACCEPTED CHANGE  OF  THE  PRO- 
POSED SITE  OF  THE  NEW  EDIFICE  FROM  TREMONT  STREET  TO  BEACON 
STREET PLAN,  ADAPTED  TO  THE  NEW  SITE,  AND  DESIGNED  BY  ED- 
WARD   C.    CABOT,    ACCEPTED NOBLE    DONATION    OF    JOHN    BROMFIELD 

FOR  THE  INCREASE  OF  THE  LIBRARY FACTS,  AND  MEASURES  ADOPT- 
ED, IN  RESPECT  TO  THAT  DONATION CHARLES  FOLSOM  CHOSEN  LI- 
BRARIAN  GREAT   PROSPERITY  OF  THE    ATHEN^UM  CORNER    STONE 

OF   THE   NEW   EDIFICE   LAID   WITH   DUE    CEREMONIES, 

At  the  annual  meeting,  in  January,  1841,  the  same  offi- 
cers were  chosen  as  had  served  the  institution  for  the  two 
preceding  years. 

At  an  adjourned  meeting  of  the  Proprietors,  it  was  voted 
that  each  owner  of  a  share  shall  have  free  admission,  with 
three  members  of  his  family,  to  all  exhibitions  of  paintings  or 
statuary  belonging  to  the  Athenaeum,  for  the  present  year, 
he  furnishing  the  door-keeper  with  the  names  of  such  mem- 
bers of  his  family  as  he  shall  designate  for  admission,  their 
names  being  recorded,  and  they  being  made  personally 
known  to  the  door-keeper. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Trustees  in  the  same  month,  meas- 
ures were  taken  to  make  known  to  the  public  the  condition 
and  size  of  the  Library,  and  the  advantages  of  the  institu- 
tion, by  a  publication  of  these  particulars  in  the  newspapers  ; 
and  a  committee  was  appointed  to  devise  and  carry  into 
effect  some  plan  for  awakening  the  attention  of  the  commu- 
nity to  a  removal  of  the  institution,  or  such  other  measures 
as  might  serve  to  increase  its  usefulness. 


THE   BOSTON   ATHEN^UM.  153 

In  May,  the  Trustees  authorized  the  sum  of  $  500  to 
be  subscribed  towards  the  fund  for  procuring  the  comple- 
tion of  "  the  Group  of  Orpheus,"  in  marble,  by  Mr.  Craw- 
ford, on  condition,  that  when  completed  it  should  be  the 
property  of  the  Athenaeum. 

In  July,  Martin  Brimmer  presented  to  the  institution  a 
copy  of  Guide's  picture  of  "  St.  Michael,"  by  Chatelain. 
In  December,  the  Trustees  authorized  the  payment  to 
Mr.  Clevenger  of  $  150,  on  account  of  his  bust  of  Mr. 
Allston. 

At  the  annual  meeting  of  the  Proprietors,  in  January, 
1842,  the  committee  for  examining  the  Library  reported 
eight  volumes  to  be  missing,  one  of  the  works  much  mu- 
tilated, in  other  respects  the  Library  in  good  condition, 
and  the  whole  number  of  volumes  now  belonging  to  the 
Library  to  be  thirty-two  thousand  two  hundred  and  twenty- 
five. 

The  vote  of  the  last  year  for  the  free  admission  of  each 
Proprietor  and  three  members  of  his  family  to  the  exhibition 
of  pictures  was  continued  for  the  present  year. 

The  Treasurer  reported  that  the  income  for 
the  past  year,  appHcable  to  the  general 
expenses,  was $  2,552-65 

And  the  general  expenses,  and  books,  .  2,817'15 

During  the  year  1841,  the  Fine  Arts  fund 

received  only  a  credit  of      .         .         .  24*18 

The  balance  the  preceding  year  was     .  166*24 


190-42 
Paid  for  bust  and  expenses,         .         .         .         366-41 


Balance  to  the  debt  of  this  fund,      .         .  175*99 

The  whole   property  of    the    Athenaeum 

was $  141,649-98 

20 


154  HISTORY   OF 

Real  Estate,  ...  $  22,890-89 
Lecture-room,  .  .  .  15,550-82 
Paintings,  busts,  &c.,  .  19,221-63 
Books,        ....     54,594-41 


112,257-75 
Productive  property,        .        29,392-23 

To  the  credit  of  stock,  .      $  141,556-21 
Audubon  fund,      .         .  98-77 


$141,649-98 


$  141,649-98 

At  this  meeting,  the  same  officers  were  reelected  as  had 
been  chosen  the  three  preceding  years. 

In  February,  John  A.  Lowell,  as  executor  of  the  late 
John  Lowell,  Jr.,  presented  to  the  Athenaeum  a  "  Statue  of 
Venus  Victrix,  with  a  bas-relief  of  the  Judgment  of  Paris, 
by  our  townsman,  Horatio  Greenough,"  for  which  the  Trus- 
tees expressed  their  thanks. 

In  May,  eighty-five  volumes,  in  folio,  of  Parliamentary 
Documents  on  subjects  appertaining  to  the  employment  and 
sustenance  of  the  poor,  and  the  punishment  of  crime,  were 
presented  by  the  Rev.  Robert  C.  Waterston,  which,  in  the 
opinion  of  the  board  of  Trustees,  deserved  express  mention 
and  acknowledgment. 

In  June,  the  Trustees  voted  to  pay  $  125  for  Powers's 
marble  bust  of  Daniel  Webster,  $  375  being  already  raised 
for  that  purpose  ;  the  property  of  the  bust  to  be  in  the 
Athenaeum. 

At  the  annual  meeting  of  the  Proprietors,  in  January, 
1843,  the  committee  for  examining  the  Library  reported 
it  to  be  in  good  condition,  six  volumes  only  missing,  and  the 
whole  number  of  volumes  contained  in  it  thirty-two  thousand 
two  hundred  and  eighty-four. 


THE  BOSTON  ATHEN^UM.  155 

The  Treasurer  reported  the  income  of  the 
last  year  applicable  to  general  expenses  to 
have  been $  2,339-50 

The  general  expenses  and  books  to  have 

been 3,003-91 

That  there  had  been  received  from  the  exhi- 
bition of  paintings,         ....  447-55 

Balance  the  last  year  against 

the  Fine  Arts  fund,         .         .     175-99 

For  paintings,  bust,  and  expenses,     443-65 


619-64 

Leaving  a  balance  to  the  debit  of  the  Fine 

Arts  department,    .....         172-09 
The  property  of  the  Athenaeum  was  stated 

to  be $142,397-51 

Real  estate,  ...  $  22,890-89 
Lecture-room,  .  .  .  15,550-82 
Paintings,  busts,  &c.,  .  19,221-63 
Books,         ....     56,303-72 


$  113,967-06 

Productive  property, 

28,430-45 

142,397-51 

To  the  credit  of  stock, 

.    $141,746-34 

Debt  to  Librarian, 

188-39 

"        Treasurer,     . 

.     369-01 

Audubon  fund, 

93-77 

$  142,397-51 

The  Proprietors,  at  this  meeting,  reelected  the  same  offi- 
cers as  had  been  chosen  the  four  preceding  years. 

A  communication  was  also  received  from  the  committee 


156  HISTORY    OF 

on  the  Fine  Arts,  stating  the  facts  and  circumstances  which 
had  rendered  the  exhibition  of  pictures  during  the  year 
1842  almost  wholly  unproductive ;  and  that,  after  the  ex- 
pense of  much  time  and  pains,  no  adequate  return  had  been 
received. 

In  1842,  the  population  of  the  city  had  greatly  increased, 
and  Pearl  Street  had  become  almost  entirely  occupied  by 
warehouses.  The  position  of  the  Athengeum  of  conse- 
quence became  incompatible  with  the  main  design  of  that 
institution,  ready  and  easy  access  to  a  great  public  libra- 
ry being  in  a  manner  essential  to  its  usefulness.  A  general 
desire  began  to  be  expressed  for  its  removal.  It  was  obvi- 
ous, also,  from  the  annual  reports  of  the  state  of  the  several 
departments,  that,  while  the  books  and  the  collection  of  the 
Fine  Arts  were  increasing  annually,  the  productive  property 
of  the  institution  was  gradually  diminishing,  and  the  dimi- 
nution in  the  proceeds  of  the  exhibitions  of  paintings  was, 
unquestionably,  in  a  degree  attributable  to  the  local  situation 
of  the  Athenaeum. 

In  June,  1843,  the  Trustees  therefore  appointed  Josiah 
Quincy,  Jr.,  Thomas  G.  Gary,  and  John  A.  Lowell  a  com- 
mittee "  to  see  if  any  thing  can  and  should  be  done  towards 
removing  the  Athenaeum  from  its  present  position  to  some 
place  nearer  the  centre  of  the  city." 

In  the  ensuing  October,  this  committee  reported  the 
probabiUty  of  their  being  able  to  procure  a  very  favora- 
ble site  for  the  Athenceum  upon  Tremont  Street  and  ex- 
tending from  that  street  to  Gourt  Square ;  and  they  were 
instructed  to  obtain  the  refusal  of  the  land,  and  in  such 
case  to  enlarge  their  number  for  the  purpose  of  procuring 
subscriptions  on  condition  that  the  Athenaeum  should  be  re- 
moved to  the  specified  place  ;  and  it  was  directed  that  a 
meeting  of  the  Proprietors  should  be  called  as  soon  as  the 
committee  should  deem  it  expedient. 


THE    BOSTON  ATHENiEUM.  157 

In  September,  the  Trustees  passed  a  vote  authorizing 
the  expenditure  of  $  300  for  the  erection  of  a  suitable 
building  for  the  reception  and  exhibition  of  the  Statue  of 
Orpheus. 

At  the  annual  meeting  of  the  Proprietors,  in  the  month 
of  January,  1844,  the  committee  on  the  examination  of  the 
Library  reported  its  condition  to  be  good,  about  fourteen  vol- 
umes missing,  and  the  whole  number  of  volumes  thirty-two 
thousand  seven  hundred  and  seventy-five. 
The  Treasurer  reported  the  income  for  the 
past  year,  apphcable  to  general  expenses, 

to  be $  2,365-52 

The  general  expenses  and  books,         .         .       1,716*36 
That  the  balance  to  the  debit  of  the  Fine 

Arts,  last  year,  was        ....  172-09 

That  there  had  been  paid  on  this  account 

this  year, 517-82 

689-91 
And  that  he  had  received  as  proceeds  of 

the  exhibition,        .....  298-33 


Leaving  a  balance  to  the  debit  of  the  Fine 

Arts 391-58 


The  whole  property  of  the  Athenceum  was 

stated  to  be $  144,376-61 

Real  estate,  .  .  .  $22,890-89 
Lecture-room,  .  .  .  15,550-82 
Paintuigs,  busts,  &c.,  .  19,221-63 
Books,  ....  57,671-16 
Crawford's  Statue  of  Orpheus,  584-31 
Fine  Arts  fund,     .        •         .         391-58 

$116,310-39 


158  HISTORY   OF 

Amount  brought  forward,     $  116,310-39 
Productive  property,        .  28',066-22 


To  the  credit  of  stock,  $  142,772-22 

Audubon  fund,  .         .  93-77 

Due  to  the  Treasurer,      .         .    1,510-62 


$  144,376-61 


1 144,376-61 
The  Proprietors,  at  this  meeting,  reelected  the  same 
officers  as  had  been  chosen  the  five  preceding  years. 

The  committee  on  the  Fine  Arts  reported  a  gain  of  five 
hundred  and  eighty-four  dollars  to  the  Athenaeum  by  the  ex- 
hibition chiefly  of  the  works  of  art  belonging  to  the  institu- 
tion, and  also  the  gratifying  information  of  the  arrival  of 
the  marble  statue  of  Orpheus,  executed  in  Italy  by  Craw- 
ford. This  statue  had  been  purchased  for  twenty -five  hun- 
dred dollars,  of  which  gentlemen  of  the  city  of  Boston  had 
subscribed  two  thousand  dollars,  and  the  Athenaeum  five 
hundred,  erecting  also  a  building  for  its  exhibition  at  the 
cost  of  three  hundred. 

At  this  meeting  the  committee  on  the  subject  of  the  re- 
moval of  the  Athenaeum  from  Pearl  Street  reported,  that 
they  had  obtained  the  refusal  of  a  lot  of  land  almost  imme- 
diately adjoining  the  Savings  Bank,  and  extending  from 
Tremont  Street  to  Court  Square  ;  that  the  cost  of  the  land 
and  the  erection  of  a  suitable  building  would  require  one  hun- 
dred thousand  dollars ;  and  that  the  committee  were  unani- 
mously of  opinion,  that  the  amount  might  be  raised  by  the 
sale  of  the  present  buildings  in  Pearl  Street  and  other  prop- 
erty of  the  institution,  by  individual  subscriptions,  and  by 
the  issue  of  new  shares.  The  committee  reported  a  series 
of  resolutions,  declaring  the  expediency  of  the  proposed  re- 
moval to  Tremont  Street ;  authorizing  the  issuing  of  new 
shares  at  three  hundred  dollars  each ;  and  also  empowering 


THE  BOSTON  ATHEN^UM.  159 

the  Trustees  to  dispose  of  the  present  building  and  any 
stocks  or  securities  belonging  to  the  corporation,  and  to  take 
measures  for  erecting  the  new  buildmg  on  the  lot  proposed, 
as  soon  as  they  were  satisfied  that  the  means  can  be  obtain- 
ed for  its  completion  without  incurring  a  debt  or  permanent- 
ly diminishing  the  income  of  the  Athenaeum.  These  reso- 
lutions were  adopted,  the  first  two  unanimously,  the  last  by 
a  great  majority. 

The  Trustees,  at  a  meeting  in  the  same  month,  reappoint- 
ed the  same  gentlemen  who  acted  the  last  year  on  the  sub- 
ject of  removing  the  institution,  authorizing  them  to  pur- 
chase the  land  specified  in  their  report  to  the  Proprietors, 
whenever  they  shall  obtain  the  assurance  of  a  sum  of  money 
equal  to  237  shares,  at  $  300  each.  Nathaniel  I.  Bow- 
ditch  was  added  to  the  committee,  which  now  consisted  of 
Messrs.  J.  Quincy,  Jr.,  Gary,  Lowell,  and  Bowditch,  and  au- 
thority was  given  to  them  to  apply  to  the  Legislature  on  be- 
half of  the  Trustees,  should  there  be  occasion  for  it. 

At  their  meeting  in  April,  the  Trustees  received  a  com- 
munication from  the  above-mentioned  committee,  stating 
that  they  had  obtained  the  required  number  of  subscribers 
(238)  at  $  300  each ;  but  had  suspended  closing  the  bar- 
gain for  the  land  proposed,  in  the  hope  of  obtaining  land  at 
the  head  either  of  Hamilton  Place  or  of  Bumstead  Place. 
In  May,  however,  the  committee  reported  that,  having 
failed  in  obtaining  either  of  these  places,  they  had  purchased 
the  estate  on  Tremont  Street,  first  recommended,  and  ap- 
proved by  the  Proprietors.  The  Treasurer,  in  consequence, 
was  authorized  to  collect  the  new  subscriptions,  and  to  issue 
certificates  for  the  new  stock  to  the  subscribers.  Subse- 
quently, the  committee  was  authorized  to  purchase  the 
Greenleaf  estate  adjoining  to  their  former  purchase. 

A  bust  of  William  H.  Prescott,  by  Richard  Greenough, 
was  presented  to  the  Athenaeum  by  his  father,  William 


160  HISTORY   OF 

Prescott.  The  committee  on  the  Fine  Arts  were  re- 
quested to  communicate  to  Mr.  Crawford,  the  sculptor  of 
the  marble  statue  of  Orpheus,  now  the  property  of  the 
AthenjBum,  the  high  opinion  the  Trustees  entertained  of  the 
merits  of  the  work. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Proprietors  in  January,  1845,  the 
committee  on  removing  the  Athenoeum  reported,  that  they 
had  purchased  17,328  feet  of  land,  for  about  $  4-85  per 
foot,  |84,102  ;  —  that  the  estimated  cost  of  a  suitable  build- 
ing was   $  76,000,  making  $  160,102  ;  —  that  the  funds 
under  their  control  were  241  new  shares  $  72,300,  Pearl 
Street  land  and  estate  $  40,000,  notes  receivable  $  28,000, 
making  $  140,300,  and  leaving  a  deficit  of  $  19,802.   They 
stated  that  the  land  purchased  was  larger  than  was  originally 
contemplated,  and  by  a  sale  of  part  of  it  funds  sufficient  for 
the  completion  of  the  building  might  be  provided  ;  but  that 
the  committee  were  desirous  to  obtain  accommodation  for  the 
institution  for  all  future  time,  and  also  to  avoid  any  debt, 
however  small,  and  therefore  submitted  a  vote  for  considera- 
tion, authorizing  them  to  erect  a  building  covering  the  whole 
land  purchased,  as  soon  as  twenty  thousand  dollars  could 
be  raised  by  the  sale  of  new  shares,  or  other  disposition  of 
parts  of  the  building  about  to  be  erected.     This  vote  was 
accepted,  and  the  committee  were  directed  to  have  plans  of 
the  building  prepared,  some  with  shops  and  others  without, 
and  to  submit  the  same  to  the  Proprietors  at  a  meeting  to 
be  called  for  that  purpose. 

The  Proprietors  then  proceeded  to  elect  officers  for 
the  year  ensuing,  and,  Isaac  P.  Davis,  Samuel  May,  and 
Nathaniel  I.  Bowditch  having  decHned  a  reelection,  Mar- 
tin Brimmer,  George  S.  Hillard,  and  Samuel  Austin,  Jr. 
were  chosen  in  their  places.* 

*  Officers  chosen  in  1845.  —  President,  George  Hay  ward; — Vice-President, 
Thomas  G.  Gary  ; —  Treasurer,  Josiah  Quincy,  Jr. ;  —  Secretary,  William  T. 


THE    BOSTON    ATHENAEUM.  161 

The  committee  for  the  examination  of  the  Library,  at  this 
meeting,  reported  nineteen  volumes  to  be  missing,  the  num- 
ber of  volumes  to  be  thirty-three  thousand  five  hundred  and 
three,  and  the  Library  to  be  in  good  condition. 

The  Treasurer  reported  that  the  income  for  the  past  year, 
appHcable  to  general  expenses,  had  been         .     $  2,825-88 

The  general  expenses  and  books  had  been  1,944*68 

That  the  balance  to  the  debit  of  the  Fine 

Arts  last  year  Tvas       ....         $  391*58 

There  had  been  paid  this  year     .         .         .        247*79 


$639*37 
And  there  had  been  received 

this  year,  the  proceeds  of 

the    annual    exhibition   of 

pictures,  .  .  .  1 626*00 
And  of  that  of  the  statue  of 

Orpheus  ....         366*02 

$992*02 

Leaving  a  balance  to  the  credit  of  the 

Fine  Arts  department  of    .         .         .  $  352*65 

That  the  whole  property  of  the  Athenaeum 

was  now $208,467*10 

Viz. :  —  Real  estate  on  Tre- 

mont  Street,  .  .  .  $  46,102*00 
Real  estate  on  Pearl  Street,  23,095*89 
Lecture-room,  .  .  .  15,550*82 
Paintings,  busts,  &c.,      .  19,221*63 

$  103,970*34 

Andrews  ; —  Trustees,  Edward  Wigglesworth,  William  H.  Prescott,  Thomas  B. 
Curtis,  John  A.  Lowell,  Enoch  Hale,  William  T.  Andrews,  Martin  Brimmer, 
George  S.  Hillard,  and  Samuel  Austin,  Jr. 
21 


XQ2  HISTORY    OF 

Amount  brought  forward,  $  103,970-34 
Books,  ....  o'8,(379-81 
Statue  of  Orpheus,  .        .  484-31 


$  163,134-46 

Productive  property, 

45,332-64 

$  208,467-10 

To  the  credit  of  stock. 

$  207,915-75 

Audubon  fund. 

7-21 

Fine  Arts  department, 

352-65 

Baring,  Brothers,  &  Co., . 

.      191-49 

$  208,467-10 
At  this  meeting  the  committee  on  the  Fine  Arts  express- 
ed their  sense  of  the  great  merit  of  the  statue  of  Orpheus, 
"  as  one  of  the  most  meritorious  productions  of  the  modern 
chisel,  and  this  the  work  of  American  genius  ;"  an  opinion 
which  the  Trustees  subsequently  ratified,  and  voted  to  com- 
municate it  to  Mr.  Crawford,  with  a  tender  of  the  free  use 
of  the  Library. 

At  their  first  meeting  the  Trustees  appointed  Messrs. 
Quincy,  Cary,  Lowell,  Curtis,  and  Andrews  the  building 
committee  for  the  new  edifice,  and,  they  having  offered  the 
sum  of  one  thousand  dollars  as  a  premium  for  the  best 
plan,  the  offer  was  approved  by  the  Trustees  at  their  next 
meeting. 

At  a  special  meeting  of  the  Proprietors  called  on  the  20th 
of  May,  1845,  to  consider  the  plans  submitted  for  the  new 
Athenasum  building,  a  vote  was  proposed,  that  a  building 
should  be  erected  on  the  specified  lot  "  in  such  a  manner 
as  will  either  by  lecture  rooms,  picture  galleries,  offices,  or 
shops,  or  some  combination  of  any  or  all  of  them,  yield  an  in- 
come at  least  equal  to  an  income  on  sixty  thousand  dollars." 
To  this  proposition  was  offered   an  amendment  restricting 


THE    BOSTON   ATHEN^UM.  1G3 

the  accommodations  to  be  provided  for  in  the  building  to 
galleries  for  paintings  and  statuary,  and  to  lecture  rooms. 
After  consideration  and  debate  the  whole  subject  was  refer- 
red to  a  committee  of  ten,  with  instructions  to  consider  and 
decide  upon  the  various  plans  submitted,  and  to  report  at  a 
future  meeting  a  plan  for  the  Athenoeum,  and  estimates  of 
the  expense.  After  this  vote  a  further  vote  was  passed, 
instructing  the  above  committee  "  to  report  no  i^lan  of  the 
Aihenceum,  which  shall  embrace  shops  or  offices P  The  com- 
mittee appointed  were  Thomas  G.  Gary,  Franklin  Dexter, 
Charles  Sumner,  George  S.  Hillard,  Martin  Brimmer, 
Nathaniel  I.  Bowditch,  William  Gray,  Thomas  B.  Curtis, 
Charles  Amory,  and  Jacob  Bigelow. 

The  above  proceedings  were  based  upon  a  report  of  the 
building  committee,  stating  the  financial  condition  of  the  cor- 
poration in  respect  to  the  new  building  to  be  as  follows :  — 

Land   on  Tremont  Street,  16,521    feet, 

which  cost $  82,902'00 

Estimate  for  the  new  building,         .         .       100,000-00 


The  means  provided  to  be,  — 
Real  estate  on  Pearl  Street,    $  60,000-00 
238  new  shares,         .        .         71,200-00 
Bank  stock,  &c.,  .         .     27,750-00 


$  182,902-00 


$  148,950-00 

Leaving  a  deficiency  of  .  .  .  $33,952-00 
In  this  position  the  committee  stated  that  it  was  necessa- 
ry either  to  raise  more  money  by  the  sale  of  shares,  to  sell 
a  part  of  the  land  and  erect  a  smaller  building,  or  to  erect 
a  building,  that,  in  addition  to  meeting  the  wants  of  the 
Athenaeum,  would  yield  an  income  sufficient  to  pay  the  in- 
terest on  the  debt,  provide  for  a  sinking  fund,  and  secure 


164  HISTORY    OF 

an  income  equal  to  that  derived  from  the  productive  stock 
which  will  be  absorbed  in  the  erection. 

The  income  to  be  secured  is  .         .  ^1,500-00 

The  interest  on  $  34,000-00      .         .         1,700-00 


$  3,200-00 
The  committee  expressed  their  opinion,  that  a  building 
might  be  erected  on  some  of  the  plans  submitted,  which 
would  pay  this  amount  and  provide  a  sinking  fund  that 
would  extinguish  the  debt  within  ten  years. 

The  committee  of  ten  reported  to  the  Proprietors  at  a 
special  meeting  on  the  24th  of  June,  expressing  their  opin- 
ion that  the  proposed  site  for  the  Athenosum  Avas  prefera- 
ble to  any  new  one  which  had  been  offered.  Among  the 
plans  presented,  they  decided  in  favor  of  that  submitted 
by  George  M.  Dexter.  After  stating  the  probable,  but  yet 
uncertain  proceeds  of  a  lecture-room,  they  conclude  by 
recommending,  that,  sijice  shojjs  had  been  prohibited  by  the 
vote  of  the  Proprietors,  "  a  new  appeal  be  made  to  the 
public  for  aid  to  sustain  the  sentiment  involved  in  the 
prohibition,  and  that  a  committee  be  appointed  to  obtain 
subscriptions  for  new  shares  to  the  extent  of  $  30,000  ;  " 
Avhich,  with  the  other  enumerated  resources  of  the  institu- 
tion, would  be  sufficient  to  prevent  the  using  of  the  fands 
of  the  Athenaeum  already  invested  in  stocks,  which  it  was 
desirable  to  preserve,  amounting  to  $  26,000.  After 
consideration  and  debate,  the  Proprietors  passed  a  resolve 
delegating  to  the  Trustees  all  authority  necessary  for  car- 
rying into  execution  the  recommendations  of  the  committee, 
with  power  to  appoint  committees  and  make  the  necessary 
contracts ;  and  the  Treasurer  was  directed  to  pay  to  George 
M.  Dexter  the  premium  of  one  thousand  dollars. 

In  the  course  of  the  month  of  November  another  site 
had  been   suggested  for  the    Athenaeum,  which  accorded 


THE    BOSTON    ATHEN^UM.  165 

Avith  the  views  of  many  proprietors  ;  and  on  the  19th  of  No- 
vember a  special  meeting  of  the  Proprietors  was  called,  at 
Avhich  the  committee  for  building  the  proposed  new  edi- 
fice reported,  that  a  sufficient  sum  could  not  be  raised  by 
subscription  to  render  it  prudent  for  the  Athenjeum  to 
erect  a  suitable  building  on  the  site  proposed,  unless  parts 
of  it  should  be  devoted  to  purposes  more  certainly  produc- 
tive than  a  lecture-room  would  be.  They  therefore  recom- 
mended the  passing  of  a  resolution,  that  the  estate  on  Tre- 
mont  Street  should  be  sold,  and  an  estate  on  Beacon  Street, 
belonging  to  Edward  B.  Phillips,  should  be  purchased,  if  it 
could  be  obtained  on  satisfactory  terms.  This  report  was 
accepted,  and  the  resolution,  including  the  terms  specified, 
was  passed. 

The  Trustees  at  their  meeting  in  the  ensuing  December 
voted  to  purchase  the  above  estate  for  $  55,000,  1 15,000 
to  be  paid  down,  and  §  40,000  by  a  note  of  the  Proprietors 
payable  in  ten  years,  at  an  interest  of  six  per  cent,  paid 
semiannually,  the  same  to  be  secured  by  mortgage ;  and 
the  building  committee  were  authorized  to  make  a  sale  of 
the  estate  recently  purchased  on  Tremont  Street. 

At  the  annual  meeting  of  the  Proprietors  on  the  5th  of 
January,  1846,  the  committee  for  examining  the  Library 
reported,  that  it  was  found  in  good  condition,  that  fourteen 
volumes  were  missing,  and  that  the  whole  number  of  vol- 
umes was  thirty-five  thousand  one  hundred  and  seventy-five. 

The  Treasurer  reported  that  the  income  for  the  past  year, 
applicable  to  general  expenses,  had  been     .         $  3,089'70 

And  the  general  expenses  and  books  .       1,741-30 

That  the  balance  last  year  to  the  credit  of 

the  Fine  Arts  was       .         '         •         .  $  352-65 

That  there  had  been  received  from  the  ex- 
hibition of  paintings  for  the  year  1845  .  592*26 

$  944-91 


166  HISTORY    OF 

Amount  brought  forward          ...         $  944*91 
And  that  there  had  been  paid  on  their  ac- 
count this  year 119-38 

Balance  to  the  credit  of  the  Fine  Arts  fund  $  825-53 

That  the  estate  on  Tremont  Street  and 

Court  Square  had  been  sold  the  past 

year  for $109,221-25 

Leaving  to  the  AthenjBum  a  net  profit  of  20,597*44 

That  the  whole  property  of  the  AthonD3um 

was $313,128-40 

Viz. :  —  Real  estate  on  Pearl 

Street,    .         .         .  $23,095-89 

Lecture-room,  .         .  15,550*82 

Paintings,  busts,  &c.,  .  .  19,221*63 
Books,  ....  60,097*75 
Beacon  Street  estate,  .  .  55,000*00 
Crawford's  statue,    .         .  700*00 


$  173,666*09 
Productive  property,     .        .  139,462*31 


$  313,128*40 

To  the  credit  of  stock,     . 

$  214,824*09 

Audubon  fund,   . 

7*21 

Notes  payable, 

76,800*00 

Due  Barings  &  Company, 

74*13 

Fine  Arts  fund, 

.      825*53 

Ileal  estate   on    Tremont 

Street,  . 

.      20,597*44 

$  313,128-40 

At  this  meeting  the  committee  on  the  Fine  Arts  reported, 
that  the  Boston  Artists'  Association  had  offered,  the  last 
year,  to   furnish  contributions  to  the  annual  exhibition  of 


THE    BOSTON    ATHENiEUM.  167 

paintings,  to  procure  others  from  artists  in  other  cities,  and 
to  take  the  whole  charge  of  preparing  and  managing  the 
exhibition,  on  the  condition  of  receiving  a  moiety  of  the  net 
proceeds;  that  the  committee,  taking  into  consideration 
that  it  was  the  design  of  the  Artists'  Association  to  appl-/- 
their  portion  of  the  proceeds  to  the  support  of  a  school 
for  drawing  from  casts  and  from  life,  made  with  them  an 
agreement  on  the  terms  proposed ;  and  that  the  result  of 
the  exhibition  for  the  year  1845,  thus  conducted,  amounted 
to  $  1,184-52,  one  half  of  which,  $  592-26,  had  been  paid 
over  to  the  Treasurer  of  the  Athenaeum.  The  committee 
expressed  their  opinion,  that  a  continuance  of  the  same  un- 
derstanding with  the  artists  might  afford  a  salutary  stimulus 
to  improvement  on  their  part,  and  would  subserve  the  impor- 
tant end  of  furnishing  means  for  the  support  of  the  school 
alluded  to ;  and  a  hope  that  future  committees  on  the  Fine 
Arts  would  pursue  a  like  policy. 

At  this  meeting,  Mr.  Hayward  having  resigned  the  office 
of  President  and  Mr.  Andrews  that  of  Secretary,  they  re- 
ceived appropriate  thanks  of  the  corporation  for  their  ser- 
vices ;  and,  Messrs.  Curtis  and  Brimmer  also  having  re- 
signed their  places  as  Trustees,  Messrs.  Binney,  Holmes,  and 
Amory  were  elected,  and  the  other  members  of  the  former 
board  were  rechosen.* 

At  the  same  meeting  Josiah  Quincy  stated,  that  a  gentle- 
man of  this  city  had  placed  in  his  hands  twenty-five  thousand 
dollars,  "to  be  delivered  to  the  Proprietors  of  the  Boston 
Athenteum  for  the  purpose  of  constituting  a  fund  to  be  kept 
separate  and  distinct  from  all  other  funds,  and  to  be  put  and 


*  Officers  chosen  in  184G.  —  President,  Thomas  G.  Gary  ; —  Vice-President, 
John  A.  Lowell ;  —  Treasurer,  Josiah  Quincy,  Jr.; —  Secretary,  Henry  T.  Par- 
ker ; —  Trustees,  William  T.  Andrews,  Edward  Wigglesworth,  William  H. 
Prescott,  Enoch  Hale,  George  S.  Hillard,  Samuel  Austin,  Jr.,  Amos  Binney, 
Oliver  W.  Holmes,  and  Charles  Amory. 


168  HISTORY    OF 

for  ever  to  be  kept  out  at  interest  on  good  securitj,  for  the 
regular  annual  increase  of  tlie  Library  of  the  institution ; 
three  fourths  of  its  annual  income  to  be  annually  applied  to 
such  increase  of  its  Library ;  the  remaining  one  fourth  to  be 
annually  added  to  the  capital  fund,  for  the  increase  thereof ; 
the  incomes  of  such  accumulated  capital  to  be  also  annu- 
ally in  like  manner  exclusively  applied  in  hke  proportions 
and  on  like  terms ;  all  incomes  not  expended  for  books 
■within  the  year  to  be  also  added  to  the  capital  fund,  for  its 
increase." 

Upon  the  motion  of  Mr.  John  A.  Lowell  the  Proprietors 
voted  their  acceptance  of  the  sum  proffered  on  the  terms 
specij&ed,  and  requested  Mr.  Quincy  "  to  express  to  the 
donor  their  unanimous  thanks  for  this  opportune  and  highly 
valuable  endowment."  They  also  voted  that  the  fund 
now  presented  be  kept  separate,  and  be  called  by  the 
name  of  the  donor ;  and  that  the  books  purchased  from 
the  income  of  the  fund  be  inscribed  with  his  name. 

After  these  votes  were  passed,  Mr.  Quincy,  before  com- 
municating the  name,  stated  that  the  gift  was  wholly  the 
result  of  the  donor's  own  generous  feelings  and  exemplary 
views ;  that,  previously  to  his  delivering  the  amount  bestowed, 
a  conversation  occurred,  the  substance  of  which  Mr.  Quincy 
deemed  it  no  breach  of  confidence  to  state,  although  without 
the  knowledge  or  authority  of  the  donor ;  and  which  was 
to  this  effect :  —  that,  "  under  the  circumstances  of  the 
donor's  relations  in  life  and  to  society,  he  had  for  a  long 
time  been  impressed  with  a  sense  of  his  duty  to  do  some- 
thing of  a  permanent  and  useful  character  for  a  city,  m  which 
a  great  part  of  his  life  had  been  passed.  Having  been  re- 
cently informed  of  the  deficiency  of  this  great  public  insti- 
tution in  respect  to  a  fund  for  the  increase  of  its  Library, 
his  mind  had  been  impressed  Avith  the  importance  and  util- 
ity of  supplying  that  deficiency,  and  his  reflections  resulted 


THE    LOSTON    ATHEN^UM.  169 

in  the  belief,  that  this  was  an  object  to  which  he  could  best 
apply  the  means  at  his  command.  His  first  determination 
Avas  to  do  this  by  will.  Reflecting,  however,  upon  the  uncer- 
tainty of  life  and  the  accidents  to  which  all  wills  are  sub- 
ject, his  mind  came  to  the  conclusion  that  it  would  be  a 
far  better  fulfilment  of  duty  to  supply  the  wants  of  the  in- 
stitution, in  this  respect,  in  his  own  lifetime,  and  render  the 
fund  immediately  available.  Ha\ang  finally  come  to  the 
determination,  for  these  reasons,  to  make  the  gift  in  his  life- 
time, but  having  an  almost  insuperable  aversion  to  publicit}', 
his  first  prevailing  thought  was,  to  give  it  under  strict  in- 
junctions of  secrecy.  From  this  course  ha  was,  hoAvever, 
ultimately  deterred  by  reflecting  how  almost  impossible  it 
was  in  an  inquisitive  and  intelligent  community  to  keep 
such  a  secret  long  and  perfectly  ;  and  also  it  seemed  to  him 
a  species  of  hypocrisy  to  pretend  to  hide  what  it  was,  in  a 
manner,  certain,  that  time  would  ultimately  and  perhaps 
speedily  reveal." 

Mr.  Quincy  said  that  the  strong  desire  of  the  donor  was, 
that  as  little  should  be  said  or  done  on  the  subject  as  was 
possible  considering  the  nature  of  the  donation.  After  these 
remarks  he  stated  the  donor  to  be  John  Bromfield,  Esq. 

The  Trustees  at  their  meeting  in  January,  1846,  appoint- 
ed a  building  committee,  to  consist  of  the  President,  Vice- 
President,  Treasurer,  and  Messrs.  Andrews  and  Amory ; 
and  authorized  them  to  take  measures  to  erect  a  suitable 
building  on  the  land  lately  purchased  on  Beacon  Street,  with 
as  much  despatch  as  was  consistent  with  the  advantageous 
execution  of  the  work. 

They  then,  in  consideration  of  the  munificent  donation  of 
Mr.  Bromfield,  voted  to  him  the  privilege  of  taking  out 
books  under  the  usual  regulations  without  charge,  accompa- 
nied by  an  invitation  to  him,  through  the  Secretary,  to  visit 
the  Athenaeum  at  all  times. 


170  HISTORY   OF 

The  increase  of  the  capital  of  the  institution,  and  the 
prospective  annual  enlargement  of  the  Library  under  the 
operation  of  the  Bromfield  fund,  as  well  as  the  new  arrange- 
ment of  its  several  departments  and  the  improvement  in  its 
administration  which  would  be  requisite  on  a  removal  to  the 
projected  building,  made  it  obvious  to  the  Trustees  that 
some  person,  specially  suited  by  learning,  taste,  and  judg- 
ment, ought  to  be  invited  to  take  the  place  of  Librarian ; 
and  Charles  Folsom,  formerly  Librarian  of  Harvard  Uni- 
versity, being  considered  to  possess  these  qualifications,  as 
well  as  great  interest  in  and  acquaintance  with  such  labors, 
was  unanimously  chosen,  Dr.  Bass  being  now  made  Assistant 
Librarian. 

In  April,  18-16,  the  building  committee  reported,  that 
they  had  selected,  from  all  the  plans  for  the  new  building 
which  had  been  oifered,  one,  of  which  Edward  C.  Cabot  was 
the  designer,  and  for  which  the  estimate,  accompanying  it, 
was  fifty-nine  thousand  dollars,  and  that  this  was  to  be  exe- 
cuted jointly  by  him  and  George  M.  Dexter.  The  proceed- 
ings of  the  committee  were  approved  by  the  Trustees,  who 
at  the  same  meeting  received  from  Mr.  Folsom  a  letter  ac- 
cepting the  office  of  Librarian. 

At  their  meeting  in  June  the  necessity  of  a  thorough  re- 
pair of  the  binding  of  the  books  in  the  Library,  previous  to 
its  removal  from  its  present  situation,  was  stated  by  the 
Librarian,  with  a  recommendation  that  the  work  should  be 
done  within  the  walls  of  the  Athenseum,  under  his  special 
supervision ;  a  measure,  which  he  was  authorized  to  begin 
immediately  to  carry  into  effect. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Trustees,  in  October,  1846,  a  letter 
was  received  from  Amos  Binney,  Esq.,  offering  to  the  Athe- 
naeum a  collection  of  engravings  after  the  Flemish  paint- 
ers ;  on  which  the  Trustees  voted  their  thanks  for  this  very 
interesting  and  valuable  donation,  assuring  him  that  they 


THE   BOSTON   ATHBNiEUM.  171 

would  follow  his  suggestions  in  regard  to  the  mode  of  pre- 
paring and  arranging  them  for  preservation. 

In  November,  twenty-six  valuable  volumes,  being  mostly 
translations  of  the  Scriptures  into  various  languages  of  In- 
dia, were  presented  by  Captain  Eben  S.  Coffin,  and  also 
seventy-three  octavo  volumes,  mostly  legislative  documents 
of  the  State  of  New  York,  including  a  large  folio  volume 
of  the  Census  of  that  State,  were  presented  by  the  Rev. 
Dr.  William  B.  Sprague,  of  Albany ;  for  each  of  which  do- 
nations an  appropriate  vote  of  thanks  was  passed  by  the 
Trustees. 

At  the  annual  meeting  of  the  Proprietors,  holden  on  the 
4th  of  January,  1847,  the  officers  of  the  last  year  were  re- 
appointed. The  committee  for  examining  the  Library  re- 
ported about  ten  volumes  to  be  missing,  its  condition  in 
other  respects  to  be  good,  and  the  whole  number  of  volumes 
to  be  thirty-seven  thousand  two  hundred  and  seventy-five. 

The  Treasurer  reported  the  income  of  the  past  year,  ap- 
plicable to  general  expenses,  to  have  been  .        $  5,286'68 

And  the  general  expenses  and  books  to 

have  been  .....  3,831-37 

The  balance  to  the  credit  of  the   Fine 

Arts  fiind  was  last  year      .         .         .  825*53 

That  from  the  exhibition  of  pictures  and 

other  sources  had  been  received  .         .  901  "06 


$1,726-59 
That  there  has  been  paid  on  this  account  419-16 


Leaving  to  the  credit  of  the  Fine  Arts  fund,  $  1,307*43 
The  Treasurer  reported  the  whok  property 

of  the  Athenaeum  to  be  .         .         $  342,121*69 

Viz.,  Real    estate    in  Pearl 

Street,         .         .         .     $23,095*89 


(Z                                           niSTORY 

OF 

Amount  brought  forward,     .  ; 

$23,095-89 

Lecture-room, 

15',oo0-82 

Crawford's  statue  of  Orpheus, 

700-00 

Paintings,  busts,  &c.,  . 

19,221-63 

Books,    .... 

62,254-04 

Real  estate  in  Beacon  Street, 

64,960-12 

$ 

185,783-10 

Productive  property 

156,338-59 

$342,121-69 

To  the  credit  of  stock,     .     $ 

218,147-64 

Real  estate  in  Tremont  Street, 

20,505-91 

Audubon  fund. 

7-21 

Notes  payable,     . 

76,800-00 

Fine  Arts  fund, 

1,307-43 

Bromfield  fund,     . 

25,353-50 

$342,121-69 

The  Treasurer  also  stated  that  $1,058-00  had  been 
drawn  from  the  Bromfield  fund,  and  invested  in  books  to 
be  specially  marked  and  kept  as  accruing  from  the  liber- 
ality of  the  donor  of  said  fund,  agreeably  to  the  vote  of  the 
Proprietors  of  the  Athenaeum. 

The  committee  on  the  Fine  Arts  reported,  that  the  annual 
exhibition  of  pictures  had  been  prepared  in  concert  with 
the  Boston  Artists'  Association,  and  that  the  net  income  of 
it  was $892-26 

Of  which  one  third  belonged  to  the  Artists' 

Association, 297*42 

And  two  thirds  to  the  Athengeum,        .         .         594-84 

At  this  meeting  of  the  Proprietors,  a  vote  was  passed, 
requesting  Mr.  Bromfield  to  sit  for  his  portrait  or  bust  (as 
he  might  prefer),  to  be  preserved  in  the  Athenasum.  This 
vote  was  duly  communicated  to  Mr.  Bromfield  by  the  Pres- 


THE    BOSTON   ATHEN^UM.  173 

ident,  who  received  a  courteous  answer,  containing  the  fol- 
lowing characteristic  sentence : 

"  Deeply  impressed  with  the  kindness  of  the  motives  of 
the  gentlemen  who  have  made  this  proposition,  and  fully  ap- 
preciating the  honor  intended  to  be  conferred  upon  me  there- 
by (for  which  I  beg  you  to  tender  them  my  most  grateful 
and  unfeigned  thanks),  I  nevertheless  beg  leave,  most  decid- 
edly and  explicitly,  to  decline  their  very  friendly  and  polite 
proposition." 

Dr.  Bass  being  about  to  retire  from  his  oiBce  after  a  ser- 
vice of  more  than  twenty  years,  the  Trustees,  at  their  meet- 
ing in  May,  passed  a  vote,  "  That  the  Treasurer  be  direct- 
ed to  pay  to  Dr.  Seth  Bass  one  thousand  dollars,  as  a  tes- 
timonial of  the  esteem  of  the  Trustees  for  one  who  has 
served  the  Athenaeum  so  long  and  so  faithfully  in  the  office 
of  Librarian  ;  and  that  Dr.  Bass  be  invited  to  visit  the  rooms 
of  the  institution  at  pleasure  after  his  connection  with  it 
shall  have  ceased,  and  be  authorized  to  take  from  the 
Library,  free  of  expense,  the  usual  number  of  books  allowed 
to  a  Proprietor."  Mr.  Charles  Bullard  Fairbanks  was  ap- 
pointed Assistant  Librarian,  at  the  same  meeting. 

On  the  27th  day  of  April,  1847,  the  corner  stone  of  the 
new  building  on  Beacon  Street  was  laid  with  suitable  cere- 
monies, of  which  the  following  account  appeared  in  the 
"  Boston  Daily  Advertiser  "  of  the  next  morning. 

"the  eostox  athen^um. 

"  The  ceremony  of  laying  the  comer  stone  of  the  new 
building  to  be  erected  for  the  Athenaeum  took  place  yes- 
terday morning,  and  was  attended  by  a  large  number  of  the 
Proprietors,  of  the  literary  gentlemen  of  Boston,  and  of  oth- 
ers interested  in  the  prosperity  of  this  valuable  institution. 
The  President  of  the  Athenaeum,  the   Hon.  Thomas   G. 


174  HISTORY    OF 

Cary,  opened  the  proceedings  with  the  following  appropri- 
ate remarks. 

"  Gentlemen, 

"  Proprietors  of  the  Boston  Aihenmim  : 

"The  circumstances  under  which  we  meet  to-day  are  a  fit 
subject  for  cordial  congratulation. 

"  But  I  shall  not  enlarge  upon  them,  because  one  of  the  found- 
ers of  the  institution,  who  is  with  us  here,  has  kindly  consented 
to  address  you.  He  knows  its  history  from  its  earliest  infancy  to 
its  present  expanded  state.  He  has  presided  over  the  direction 
of  its  affairs  in  times  of  difficulty,  when  wisdom  and  skill,  such 
as  his,  were  necessary  to  save  it  from  falling  into  premature 
decay. 

"  After  the  eminent  success  with  which  he  has  directed  the 
various  and  important  interests  that  have  been  intrusted  to  him 
from  the  dawn  of  the  century  to  this  time,  his  presence  here, 
and  his  sanction  of  our  proceedings,  are  among  the  most  favor- 
able auspices  of  the  day. 

"  Gentlemen,  —  For  the  present,  I  have  only  to  say  to  you, 
in  behalf  of  those  who  are  now  charged  with  the  management 
of  your  affairs  here,  that,  after  the  ample  rewards  which  they 
have  received  for  their  exertions  to  extend  the  usefulness  of  the 
institution,  all  that  has  been  done  thus  far  has  only  opened  the 
way  to  further  progress,  and  shown  the  necessity  for  continued 
exertion.  We  ask  the  further  cooperation  and  aid  of  all  those 
who  have  at  heart  what  tends  to  the  welfare  and  ornament  of 
society. 

"  Gentlemen,  —  I  now  invite  you  to  listen  to  an  address  from 
a  former  President  of  the  Association,  the  Hon.  Josiah  Quincy. 

"  Mr.  Quincy  then  delivered  the  following  address. 

"  Gentlemen, 

"  Proprietors  of  the  Boston  Athenaum: 
"  We  assemble  to  unite  in  laying  the  corner  stone  of  an  edi- 
fice, destined  to  protect  the  monuments  of  science  and  of  the 


THE   BOSTON   ATHEN^UM.  1(0 

arts  ;  —  to  be  a  store-house  of  the  fruits  of  the  wisdom  of  all 
ages  and  nations  ;  —  a  library  of  whatever  is  rare  and  valuable 
in  ancient  and  modern  languages  ;  —  a  literary  reservoir,  to 
which  all  may  resort  for  intellectual  health,  strength,  and  re- 
freshment. 

"  The  Trustees  of  the  Athenseum  having  thouglit  that  this 
occasion  ought  not  to  pass  without  a  public  recurrence  to  the 
grateful  reminiscences  it  awakens,  and  having  urgently  soli- 
cited me  to  be  their  voice  at  this  ceremony,  I  have  yielded. 
Being  one  of  the  few  survivors  of  the  first  subscribers  to  this 
institution,  having  been  for  many  years  in  its  direction,  ac- 
quainted with  all  its  early  founders,  many  of  whom  were  my 
most  intimate  and  cherished  friends,  I  am  happy  in  the  oppor- 
tunity of  bearing  public  testimony  to  my  long-entertained  and 
heartfelt  respect  for  their  worth  and  excellence. 

"  A  notice  of  this  kind  seemed  to  the  Trustees  the  more 
proper  and  indispensable,  as  they  were  not  so  much  laying  the 
corner  stone  of  a  new  fabric,  as  in  effect  removing  that  of  an 
old  one,  and,  from  motives  of  convenience,  relaying  it  in  a  spot 
now  better  adapted  to  promote  the  enlargement  and  usefulness 
of  the  institution.  At  such  a  time  our  thoughts  naturally  turn 
to  its  origin,  progress,  and  success  ;  requiring  us  to  retrace  and 
deepen  the  memory  of  its  founders  and  distinguished  benefac- 
tors ,  to  enumerate  the  particulars  which  constitute  its  pres- 
ent prosperity,  and  to  repeat  its  claims  on  the  future  patronage 
of  the  public. 

"Neither  the  time  nor  the  place,  assigned  for  this  ceremony, 
is  suitable  for  the  full  performance  of  so  extensive  a  class  of 
duties;  I  shall,  therefore, at  present,  only  sketch  a  brief  outline 
of  those  events,  of  which  the  laying  of  the  corner  stone  is  but 
a  result  and  a  symbol. 

"  On  the  origin  of  this  institution  there  rests  no  obscurity. 
Early  in  the  year  1805,  a  few  earnest  and  energetic  literary 
men,  just  entering  upon  life,  formed  themselves  into  a  Society 
for  the  purpose  of  mutual  self-improvement,  and  for  the  con- 
ducting of  a  periodical  publication,  which,  as  subsidiary  to  that 


17  G  HISTORY   OF 

purpose,  they  had  undertaken.  They  soon  found  themselves 
straitened,  and  the  progress  of  their  work  embarrassed,  by  the 
literary  poverty  and  apathy  of  the  period.  To  relieve  them- 
selves, in  a  degree,  from  these  wants,  on  the  23d  of  October, 
1805,  they  voted,  '  that  a  library  of  periodical  publications  be 
instituted  for  the  use  of  the  Society.'  In  furtherance  of 
this  design,  John  Sylvester  John  Gardiner,  William  Emerson, 
William  Smith  Shaw,  William  Tudor,  jun.,  and  Joseph  Stevens 
Buckminster  immediately  contributed  largely  from  their  own 
libraries.  At  subsequent  meetings,  similar  liberality  was  dis- 
played by  other  members  of  the  Society,  and  '  a  library  was 
thus  established  of  periodical  publications,  for  the  use  of  the  So- 
ciety.' In  this  limited  form,  you  behold,  Gentlemen,  the  germ, 
the  vital  principle,  and  the  nucleus  of  this  great  institution. 

"  The  members  of  the  Society  soon  found  by  experience, 
that  contributions  from  the  libraries  of  a  few  private  individu-' 
als,  nearly  one  half  of  whom  were  clergymen,  and  none  of 
whom  were  affluent,  were  wholly  insufficient  to  supply  their 
literary  necessities.  It  was  apparent  that  external  aid  must  be 
sought.  But  the  attempt  was  novel,  and,  in  the  state  of  the 
times,  success  appeared  dubious.  The  tact  of  VVilliam  Smith 
Shaw  first  discerned  a  way  of  escape  from  their  difficulties. 
Having  formed  the  opinion,  that,  by  asking  from  the  commu- 
nity only  a  small  pecuniary  advance,  and  by  promising  a  quick 
return  in  pleasure  and  information,  what  a  love  of  letters  might 
not  effect,  a  love  of  novelty  and  amusement  might  obtain,  he 
proposed,  and,  on  his  motion  and  active  urgency,  the  associated 
scholars  were  persuaded  to  attempt,  establishing  a  Reading- 
Room,  to  be  called,  after  the  name  of  their  Society,  '  The 
Anthology  Reading-Room.' 

"  A  prospectus  was  accordingly  issued,  one  hundred  and 
sixty  subscribers,  at  ten  dollars  a  year,  were  obtained,  and,  on 
the  strength  and  hope  afforded  by  this  voluntary  annual  sub- 
scription of  sixteen  hundred  dollars,  this  new  source  of  rational 
pleasure  and  intellectual  improvement  was  opened  to  the  pub- 
lic, and  the  busy  external  world  were  invited  to  try  its  reviving 
and  slrensihenins  influence. 


THE    BOSTON    ATHEN^UM.  177 

"  Scanty  as  was  this  success,  it  exceeded  the  expectation  of 
the  Society,  and  encouraged  its  members  to  contemplate,  and 
prepare  the  way  for,  an  institution  on  a  broader  basis  and  of  a 
more  comprehensive  character.  With  this  view,  in  the  course 
of  a  few  months  they  transferred  to  five  Trustees  their  whole 
property  in  the  reading-room  and  library,  then  amounting  to  one 
thousand  volumes,  and  gave  them  authority,  at  their  discretion, 
to  convey  the  whole  to  a  corporate  body,  and,  if  they  deemed  it 
expedient,  to  change  the  name  and  character  of  the  institution. 

"  Under  this  authority,  the  Trustees  associated  with  them- 
selves Theophilus  Parsons,  the  Chief  Justice  of  the  State,  John 
Davis,  the  United  Slates  Judge  of  this  District,  and  John  Lowell, 
one  of  the  most  efficient  and  active  men  of  the  period,  leading 
and  zealous  in  the  promotion  of  every  wise,  noble,  and  good 
object.  With  their  aid  and  under  their  auspices  the  plan  of 
this  institution  was  traced,  an  act  of  incorporation  was  obtained, 
and  on  the  7th  of  April,  1807,  '  the  Proprietors  of  the  Boston 
Athenaeum'  organized  themselves  into  a  body  politic  and  cor- 
porate, according  to  the  provisions  of  their  charter  ;  all  the 
Trustees  being  elected  out  of  the  members  of  the  Anthology 
Club,  excepting  only  that  the  offices  of  President,  Vice-Pres- 
ident, and  Treasurer  were  filled,  respectively,  by  the  three 
distinguished  gentlemen  above  named.  A  subscription  of  one 
hundred  and  fifty  shares,  at  three  hundred  dollars  each,  was 
speedily  effected  ;  and  on  this  foundation,  somewhat  exceeding 
in  amount  forty-two  thousand  dollars,  the  Boston  Athenaeum 
commenced  its  career  of  activity  and  usefulness. 

"  We  have  thus  traced  the  course  of  this  institution  from  its 
origin,  in  the  wants  of  a  few  intellectual  and  energetic  young 
men,  to  the  period  when  it  assumed  a  chartered  existence.  Its 
first  movements  were,  however,  restricted  by  the  inadequacy  of 
its  means  to  its  necessities.  Public  patronage  began  to  flow 
towards  it,  indeed,  but  yet  slowly  and  inefficiently.  For  the 
first  fifteen  years,  its  condition  was,  consequently,  stationary 
and  languid,  until,  in  December,  1821,  new  life  and  hope  were 
infused  into  it  by  the  proffered   liberality  of  the  elder  James 

23 


178  HISTORY   OF 

Perkins  (one  of  the  most  prosperous  merchants  and  noble  spir- 
its of  this  community),  which  resulted  in  his  voluntary  gift  to  the 
Athenseum  of  that  noble  estate  in  Pearl  Street,  which  it  now 
occupies.  Under  the  stimulus  of  his  example,  a  subscription 
was  opened  in  1822,  seventy-three  shares,  at  three  hundred 
dollars  each,  were  taken,  and  nearly  twenty-two  thousand  dol- 
lars were  added  to  the  efficient  means  of  the  institution. 

"  Notwithstanding  this  successful  augmentation  of  its  resour- 
ces, circumstances  impeded  its  desired  advancement  until,  in  the 
year  1826,  Thomas  Handasyd  Perkins,  the  brother,  and  James 
Perkins,  the  son,  of  our  first  benefactor  of  that  name,  came  to 
its  aid,  and,  by  donations  noble  in  amount  and  wise  in  their  con- 
ditions, gave  a  further  impulse  to  the  spirit  of  the  community ; 
and  thus  this  institution  was  at  once  raised  to  an  enviable  height 
of  prosperity  by  the  reiterated  munificence  of  a  family,  which, 
for,patronage  of  science  and  the  arts,  and  for  generous  support 
of  institutions  of  charity  and  philanthropy,  may  well  vie,  in  the 
city  of  Boston,  with  that  of  the  Medici  in  Florence. 

"  In  consequence  of  these  donations,  a  subsidiary  action  was 
excited  in  the  community  ;  a  union,  with  this  institution,  of  the 
libraries  and  funds  of  other  Societies  was  effected  ;  large  addi- 
tional subscriptions  were  obtained,  chiefly  through  the  exer- 
tions and  influence  of  the  late  lamented  Nathaniel  Bowditch, 
aided  by  Francis  Galley  Gray,  George  Ticknor,  and  Thomas 
Wren  Ward  ;  and  an  addition  was  thus  made  to  the  funds  of 
the  Athenaeum  of  nearly  forty-five  thousand  dollars. 

From  this  time  the  institution  has  advanced  annually  and  reg- 
ularly ;  —  its  library  enlarging  ;  —  its  statuary  and  other  works 
of  art  multiplying  ;  —  its  property  increasing,  until,  through  the 
progress  of  population  and  commerce,  its  local  position  became 
incompatible  with  its  objects  and  usefulness  ;  when,  through 
large  subscriptions,  excited  by  the  desire  of  providing  for  it  a 
better  locality, —  through  the  union  above  mentioned  of  the 
libraries  and  funds  of  other  Societies,  — through  the  establishment 
of  a  perpetual  fund  for  the  increase  of  its  library  by  the  noble 
munificence  of  one  of  our  native  citizens,  John  Bromfield, —  the 


THE   BOSTON   ATHENAEUM.  179 

Boston  Athenseum,  feeble  in  its  origin,  humble  and  restricted 
in  its  first  resources,  now  numbers  in  its  alcoves  upwards  of 
thirty-seven  thousand  volumes,  possesses  a  valuable  collection  of 
paintings,  statuary,  and  other  works  of  art,  and  a  property,  real 
and  personal,  exceeding  in  value  three  hundred  and  forty-two 
thousand  dollars. 

Under  circumstances  thus  prosperous  and  auspicious  we  meet 
this  day  to  lay  the  Corner  Stone  of  this  edifice.  May  it  rise  in 
architectural  solidity  and  beauty,  —  an  ornament  of  our  city, 
an  honor  to  its  Proprietors !  May  it  fulfil  all  the  hopes  and  as- 
pirations of  its  projectors,  early  founders,  and  successive  pa- 
trons !  May  it  become  a  library  of  all  that  is  rare  and  valuable 
in  the  ancient  and  modern  languages,  —  a  store-house  of  the 
collected  fruits  of  the  wisdom  of  all  ages  and  nations  !  May  it  be 
an  abode  for  the  Fine  Arts,  —  a  home  for  sculpture  and  painting, 
where  they  may  find  models  to  imitate  and  patrons  to  encour- 
age and  reward  them  !  By  easiness  of  access,  and  by  the  variety 
of  its  treasures,  may  it  allure  our  youth  from  the  pleasures  of 
sense  to  the  delights  of  science  !  And,  aided  by  the  literary  taste 
and  spirit  now  from  year  to  year  disseminated  throughout  our 
community  by  free  public  lectures,  —  once  a  favorite  object  of 
this  Athenaeum,  but  now  superseded  by  the  noble  and  faithfully 
executed  provisions  of  the  will  of  the  late  John  Lowell,  junior, 
—  may  these  associated  institutions,  by  joint  and  harmonious  ac- 
tion, raise,  in  after  times,  the  intellectual,  moral,  and  social  con- 
dition of  the  people  of  this  metropolis  to  such  a  height  of  purity, 
knowledge,  and  virtue,  as  shall  reflect  upon  the  memories  of 
their  respective  founders  and  patrons  the  glory  of  being,  not  only 
honored  benefactors  of  our  city,  but  acknowledged  blessings  to 
their  race  !  " 

"  At  the  close  of  the  address,  the  President  announced, 
t'nat,  under  the  direction  of  the  building  committee,  the  cor- 
ner stone  would  then  be  lowered  into  its  place. 

"  After  this  was  done,  he  announced  that  there  was  de- 
posited beneath  it  a  copper  case,  containing  the  statistic 


180  HISTORY    OF 

annuals  of  the  time,  the  coins  of  the  country,  the  papers  of 
the  day,  with  various  memorials  of  the  present  condition  of 
the  city,  and  of  the  state  of  society,  and  also  a  silver  plate, 
on  which  is  engraved  the  following  inscription  : 

[On  the  face.] 

THE  CORNER   STONE  OF  THIS  BUDDING, 

DEDICATED   TO   LETTERS  AND  THE  ARTS 

BY   THE  PROPRIETORS  OF   THE  BOSTON  ATHENAEUM, 

WAS  LAID 

ON  THE  TWENTY  SEVENTH  DAY  OF  APRIL,  IN  THE  YEAR  OF  OITR  LORD 

ONE  THOUSAND   EIGHT  HUNDRED   AND   FORTY  SEVEN, 

AND    IN  THE   FORTY   FIRST  YEAR   OF   THE   INSTITUTION ; 

AVHICH, 

FOUNDED  BY  THE  EXERTIONS 

OF   WILLIAM    SMITH  SHAW   AND  THE  OTHER  MEMBERS  OF 

THAT  ASSOCIATION  OF    INGENUOUS  SCHOLARS, 

"THE  ANTHOLOGY  CLUB," 

HAS  IN    LATER   DAYS  BEEN  ENLARGED  AND  ADORNED 

BY   THE  GENEROSITY    AND   PUBLIC   SPIRIT   OF  MANY    CONTRIBUTORS, 

AND  ESPECIALLY  BY  THE   MUNIFICENCE  OF 

JAMES   PERKINS, 

THOMAS  HANDASYD  PERKINS,  HIS  BROTHER, 

JAMES  PERKINS,  HIS   SON, 

AND 

JOHN   BROMFIELD. 


WHENEVER   THIS   STONE  SHALL   BE   REMOVED, 
MAY   IT   BE   ONLY   TO   IMPROVl)   AND   PERPETUATE   THE  INSTITUTION. 


THE   BOSTON   ATHEN^UM.  181 

[On  the  reverse.] 

Principal  Endowmenis  of  the  Boston  Afhenanim  before  the  Year  1847. 

The  sum  of  Forty-Two  Thousand  Dollars  was  raised  for  the  general 
purposes  of  the  Athenaeum  by  voluntary  subscriptions  for  shares 
created  in  1807. 

James  Perkins,  in  1821,  gave  his  own  costly  Mansion  in  Pearl 
Street,  which  from  that  time  has  been  the  Seat  of  the  Institution. 

Tn  the  same  year,  Twenty-Two  Thousand  Dollars  were  raised  by  vol- 
untary subscriptions  for  shares. 

Thomas  Handasyd  Perkins  (beside  his  earlier  and  later  valuable 
donations)  and  James  Perkins,  the  younger,  seconded  in  1826  the 
liberality  of  the  brother  and  the  father,  each  giving  Eight  Thou- 
sand Dollars  ;  and  the  sum  of  their  contributions  was  increased  to 
Forty-Five  Thousand  Dollars  by  other  subscriptions,  obtained  chiefly 
through  the  efforts  and  influence  of  Nathaniel  Bowditch,  Francis 
Galley  Gray,  George  Ticknor,  and   Thomas  Wren  Ward. 

Augustus  Thorndike,  in  1823,  gave  a  choice  collection  of  casts  of 
the  most  celebrated  Ancient  Statues. 

George  Watson  Brimmer,  in  1838,  gave  a  magnificent  collection  of 
books  on  the  Fine  Arts. 

John  Bromfield,  in  1846,  gave  Twenty-Five  Thousand  Dollars  as  a 
fund,  to  be  regularly  increased  by  one  quarter  of  the  income,  of 
which  the  other  three  quarters  are  to  be  annually  applied  to  the 
purchase  of  books  for  ever. 

The  sum  of  Seventy-Five  Thousand  Dollars,  for  the  erection  of  this 
Building,  was  raised  by  voluntary  subscriptions  for  shares  created 
in  1844. 


Officers    for   the    Year  MDCCCXLVII. 

President,  Thomas  Greaves  Gary.       Vice-President,  John   Amory 

Lowell.     Treasurer,  Josiah  Quincy,  Jun. 

Trustees,  William  Turell  Andrews,  Edward  Wigglesworth,  William 

Hickling  Prescott,  Enoch  Hale,  George  Stillman  Hillard, 

Samuel   Austin,   Jun.,   Amos  Binney,   Gharles 

Amory,  Oliver  Wendell  Holmes. 

Secretary,  Henry  Tuke  Parker.  Librarian,  Gharles  Folsom. 

Architects,  Edward  Glarke  Gabot  and  George  Minot  Dexter. 


James  Knox  Polk,  President  of  the  United  States. 

George   Nixon  Bnraas,   Governor   of  the   Gommonwealth   of 

Massachusetts. 

JosTAii    Quincy,   Jun.,  Mayor  of  the  Gity  of  Boston. 


182  HISTORY   OF 

"  The  President  then  informed  the  Proprietors,  that,  with 
the  preparations  that  had  been  made,  the  buildmg  would 
rise  rapidly  from  its  foundation,  and  that  the  committee 
cherished  the  hope  of  welcoming  them  within  its  walls  with- 
in a  twelvemonth  ;  and  he  then  announced  that  the  ceremo- 
nies of  the  day  were  completed. 

"  The  day  was  fine,  and  the  circumstances  were  favora- 
ble for  exhibiting  the  beauty  and  advantages  of  the  posi- 
tion that  has  been  chosen." 


THE   BOSTON   ATHEN^UM.  183 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

PROGRESS  OF  THE  INSTITUTION THE    EXTERIOR  OF  THE  NEW    BUILDING 

ERECTED  AT  AN  EXPENSE  EXCEEDING  THE  ESTIMATES THE  OCCA- 
SION OF  THAT  EXCESS  —  THE  PRINCIPAL  LIBRARY-ROOM  ORDERED  TO 
BE    FINISHED,    AND    THE  OTHER    PARTS  OF    THE    INTERIOR    TO    BE    LEFT 

UNFINISHED A  PROJECT    TO  CONVERT    THE  ATHEN^UM    INTO  A   CITY 

LIBRARY,  DISCUSSED  AND  REJECTED  —  DEATH  OF  ENCOH  HALE,  ONE 
OF  THE  TRUSTEES  —  VOTE  ON  THAT  OCCASION PART  OF  THE  LI- 
BRARY OF  WASHINGTON  RECEIVED THE  MAIN  LIBRARY-ROOM  FIN- 
ISHED, THE  BOOKS  REMOVED  AND  ARRANGED,  AND  ITS  OCCUPATION 
AUTHORIZED MEASURES  ADOPTED  FOR  RAISING  THE  FUNDS  NECES- 
SARY   FOR    COMPLETING  THE  INTERIOR    OF    THE    NEW    BUILDING THE 

DEATH    OF    JOHN  BROMFIELD  ANNOUNCED  AND  APPROPRIATELY  NOTICED 

THE     SALE    OF    THE     ESTATE    IN     PEARL    STREET    RATIFIED     BY    THE 

PROPRIETORS COMMITTEE    RAISED    FOR    OBTAINING    THE    NECESSARY 

FUNDS      FOR     FINISHING      THE       NEW      BUILDING THEIR     REPORT 

THANES  OF  THE  PROPRIETORS  FOR  THEIR  SUCCESSFUL  LABORS,  AND 
VOTES  PASSED  FOR  GIVING  FULL  EFFECT  TO  THEIR  PROCEEDINGS  — 
COMMITTEE  RAISED,  WITH  AUTHORITY  TO  SELL  NEW  SHARES  SUF- 
FICIENT FOR  THAT  OBJECT,  AND  TO  TAKE  MEASURES  TO  COMPLETE 
THE     NEW    BUILDING. 

At  the  annual  meeting  of  the  Proprietors  in  January,  1848, 
after  the  election  of  officers,*  the  Treasurer  reported  that 
the  income  of  the  last  year,  applicable  to  general  expenses, 

was $3,950-47 

And  the  general  expenses  and  books  were  .  6,242-98 
That  the  balance  last  year  to  the  credit  of 

the  Fine  Arts  fund  was     .         .         .         $  1,307-43 
That  during  the  year  1847  there  had  been 

received      ......         1,382-83 


$  2,690-26 


*  Officers  chosen  in  iSiS.  —  President,  Thonaas  G.  Gary  ;  — Vice-President, 
John  A.  hnweW;  — Treasurer,  Josiah  Quincy,  Jr.; — Secretary,  Henry  T. 
Parker;  —  Trustees,  William  T.  Andrews,  Edward  Wigglesworth,  Enoch  Hale, 
George  S.  Hillard,  Samuel  Austin,  Jr.,  Oliver  W.  Holmes,  Charles  Araory,  John 
L.  Gardner,  and  Henry  B.  Rogers. 


18 J:  HISTORY    OF 

Amount  brought  over,     ....     $2,690-26 
That  there  had  been  paid  the  pa^  year  1,298-07 

Leaving  a  balance  to  the  credit  of  the  fund,       $  1,392-19 
That  the  whole  property  of  the  Athenoeum 

was $387,312-78 

Real  estate  on  Pearl  Street     $  23,095-89 
Estate  on  Beacon  Street,         110,736-82 

$133,832-71 
Lecture-room,  .  .  .  15,550-82 
Paintings,  busts,  &c.,  including 

the  Orpheus,  .  .  19,921-63 
Books,  ....  65,257-77 
Productive  property,       .         152,749-80 

$  387,312-78 
And  that  the  Bromfield  fund  amounted  to     $  25,838-84 

By  the  report  of  the  Treasurer  it  appeared,  that  there  had 
been  invested  in  books,  from  the  proceeds  of  the  Bromfield 
fund,  the  sum  of  $  1,454-53;  and  that  these  had  been  marked 
and  kept  as  accruing  from  the  liberality  of  the  donor  of  said 
fund,  agreeably  to  the  vote  of  the  Proprietors  of  the  Athe- 
nneum. 

The  committee  for  examining  the  Library  reported,  that 
only  twelve  volumes  Avere  missing,  most  of  Avhich,  it  was 
hoped,  would  reappear,  as  was  the  case  with  several  reported 
as  missing  the  last  year ;  and  that  the  Library  now  contained 
at  least  forty  thousand  volumes  exclusive  of  duplicates. 

The  committee  on  the  Fine  Arts  reported,  that  an  ar- 
rangement had  been  made  with  the  Boston  Artists'  Associ- 
ation, and  the  exhibition,  which  had  been  made  in  conjunc- 
tion with  them,  had  produced  a  gross  receipt  of  $  1,912-37 

And  the  incidental  expenses  had  been     .  1,185-00 

Leaving  a  net  balance  of     .         .         .  $  727-37 


THE   BOSTON   ATHEN.EUM.  185 

Of  which  one  half  accrued  to  the  Athe- 
naeum,        $363-68 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Trustees  on  the  10th  of  April  the 
same  year,  the  building  committee  reported,  that  the  exte- 
rior of  the  new  building  had  now  cost  $  70,000,  and  to 
complete  the  interior  in  a  manner  corresponding  with  what 
had  already  been  done  would  cost  $  50,000, — thus  greatly 
exceeding  the  estimates ;  that  the  means  appropriated  for 
the  building  were 

Subscriptions  for  new  shares,  after  speci- 
fied deductions, $  68,800-00 

Actual  profits  on  sale  of  land  on  Tremont 

Street, 20,342-79 

Estimated  value  of  land  on  Pearl  Street,  50,000-00 

Hospital  Life  Insurance  policy  $  20,000-00 
Bank  shares,  .  .  .  5,000-00 
Notes, 600-00 

25,600-00 


$164,742-79 
Cost  of  land  on  Beacon  Street,  $  55,000-00 
Expenditures  on  building,     .       70,000-00 

125,000-00 


Remaining  to  complete  the  building,  .         .  $  39,742-79 

The  committee  left  it  to  the  board  to  consider  what  course 
should  be  pursued,  after  stating  that  the  woi-k  was  done  in 
the  best  and  most  substantial  manner,  and  that  the  error  had 
not  arisen  from  having  paid  more  than  the  vvork  was  worth,  but 
from  supposing  that  such  a  substantial  and  beautiful  building 
could  be  erected  for  so  small  a  sum  as  had  been  estimated. 
After  deliberation  it  was  voted,  that  an  iron  stair-case  should 
be  erected  in  the  vestibule,  and  the  principal  library-room 


186  HISTORY    OF 

be  finished  in  the  style  and  manner  of  the  original  design, 
and  the  other  parts  of  the  interior' be  left,  for  the  present, 
wholly  unfinished. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Trustees,  May  8th,  1848,  a  commit- 
tee "was  appointed  to  consider  what  measures  should  be 
taken  to  obtain  funds  for  the  completing  of  the  Athenaeum 
building.  This  committee,  in  August,  reported  a  plan  by 
■which  the  Trustees  should  recommend  to  the  Proprietors, 
"  that  they  should  give  to  the  public  the  use  of  the  Library 
in  as  full  a  manner  as  it  now  is,  or  hereafter  may  be,  enjoyed 
by  the  share-holders," — the  City  paying  the  sum  of  fifty 
thousand  dollars  on  the  first  day  of  the  next  December,  and 
annuall}^,  in  quarterly  payments,  an  additional  sum  of  five 
thousand  dollars,  —  the  management  of  the  Athenaeum  to  be 
confided  to  ten  directors,  six  of  whom  should  be  chosen  by 
the  Trustees  of  the  Athenaeum,  and  four  by  the  City  Coun- 
cih  *  The  report  was  accepted  by  the  Trustees,  and  a  meet- 
ing of  the  Proprietors  was  accordingly  held  on  the  24th  of 
October,  1848,  when  the  above-mentioned  plan  was  proposed 
and  discussed,  and,  on  motion,  the  whole  subject  was  indefi- 
nitely postponed. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Trustees  in  November,  the  Librarian 
having  laid  before  them  a  collection  of  rare  and  valuable 
Sanscrit  and  other  Oriental  Manuscripts,  a  donation  from 
Theodore  A.  Neal,  of  Salem,  the  thanks  of  the  board  and 
the  privileges  of  the  Athenaeum  were  voted  to  the  donor. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Trustees  on  the  11th  of  December, 
the  death  of  their  late  associate,  Dr.  Enoch  Hale,  was 
announced,  and  a  vote  was  passed  expressive  of  their  deep 
regret  for  the  loss  of  a  colleague  "  whose  valuable  assistance 
in  the  management  of  the  affairs  of  the  institution  they 
have  long  enjoyed,  and  whose  memory  is  cherished  with  af- 
fection and  respect." 

At  the  annual  meeting  of  the  Proprietors  in  January, 


THE   BOSTON   ATHEN^UM,  187 

1849,  all  the  officers  of  the  last  year  were  reelected,  except 
that  George  T.  Lyman  and  Wilham  Lawrence  were  chosen 
Trustees  in  the  places  of  Mr.  Gardner,  who  had  resigned, 
and  Dr.  Hale,  who  had  deceased.* 
The  Committee  on  the  Fine  Arts  reported  that 
the  gross  receipts  from  the  exhibition  for 
the  preceding  year  were  ...       $  1,182*87 

And  the  incidental  expenses,  ....         757*76 

Leaving  a  balance  of $425*11 

One  half  of  which  was  paid  to  the  Boston  Art- 
ists' Association,  and  the  other  half  to  the 
Athensjum, 1 212*55 

The  committee  on  the  Library  made  a  highly  satisfactory 
report,  from  which  the  following  is  an  extract : 

"  The  committee  have  great  pleasure  in  being  able  to 
state,  from  the  report  of  the  Librarian,  that  the  last  year 
has  been  distinguished  beyond  all  precedent  in  the  history 
of  the  institution  by  the  number  and  value  of  the  donations 
made  to  the  Library. 

"  First  in  importance  is  a  collection  of  books  which  for- 
merly belonged  to  Washington.  Seventy  gentlemen,  of  Bos- 
ton, Cambridge,  and  Salem,  by  a  subscription  of  $  50  each, 
amounting  to  nearly  |  4,000,  have  secured  to  the  Athe- 
noeum  this  treasure.  The  light  in  which  they  regard  it, 
and  the  motives  which  animated  them,  will  best  appear 
from  their  own  words. 

"  '  The  greater  number  of  these  books,'  they  say,  '  con- 
tain Washington's  autograph.  All  which  are  so  distin- 
guished, and,  next  after  them,  those  which  were    presen- 

*  Officers  chosen  in  1819. —  P  resident,  ThQm?LS  G.  Gary; —  Vice-President, 
John  A.  Lowell; — Treasurer,  Josiah  Quincy,  Jr. ; —  Secretary,  Henry  T.  Par- 
ker;—  Trustees,  \N\\\\^vc\  T.Andrews,  George  S.  Hillard,  Edward  Wiggles- 
worth,  Samuel  Austin,  Charles  Amory,  Henry  B.  Rogers,  Oliver  VV.  Holmes, 
George  T.  Lyman,  and  William  R.  Lawrence. 


188  HISTORY    OF 

tation  copies  to  him,  and,  next  to  tliem,  those  -which 
contain  his  book-plate,  or  can  in  any  other  way  be 
proved  to  have  been  in  his  possession,  would  be  regard- 
ed, even  in  Europe,  as  curiosities  of  great  interest  and 
value,  and  would  command  prices  which  might  seem  in- 
credible to  one  unacquainted  with  the  sums  given  for  ob- 
jects associated  with  the  memory  of  highly  distinguished 
men. 

" '  But  by  an  American  the  collection  should  be  differ- 
ently estimated.  To  no  country  has  its  history  left  so 
valuable  a  legacy  as  we  have  inherited  in  the  character 
of  Washington.  He  stands  alone  among  all  the  great 
men  of  the  world,  preeminent  for  his  ser^dces  to  his  coun- 
trymen, for  his  freedom  from  all  sordid  and  selfish  mo- 
tives, for  his  elevation  above  ordinary  human  weaknesses, 
and  for  his  thorough  integrity  and  completeness  of  char- 
acter. He  rises  higher  in  our  estimation  the  better  we 
become  acquainted  with  history  and  with  human  nature. 
No  other  country  can  look  back  to  a  man  who  has  left 
an  example  so  excellent  and  so  weighty,  so  adapted  by 
its  influence  to  promote  all  that  is  good. 

" '  Of  such  a  man  all  the  relics  should  be  venerated  ; 
and  there  can  be  few  of  more  interest  than  the  books 
which  have  been  in  his  hands,  and  which  are  marked 
by  his  handwriting.  Every  tribute  of  respect  paid  to 
him  is  a  tribute  of  respect  to  moral  excellence,  and  a 
lesson  to  our  posterity,  teaching  them  our  sense  of  its 
worth.'  * 

"  It  should  be  remarked,  that  of  these  seventy  benefac- 
tors, twenty-eight,  contributing  $  1,400,  are  not  Proprie- 
tors, but  friends  of  the  Athcnseura  only  as  they  are  friends 
of  learning,  and  of  those  high  interests  of  the  community, 

*  Printed  circular  [letter,  signed  by  Andrews  Norton  and  Jared  Sparks,  two 
of  the  contributors. 


THE    BOSTON   ATHEXiEUM. 


189 


which  the  Athenaeum  was  intended,  and  is  expected,  to 
promote.* 

"  Another  very  important  donation  consists  of  a  collec- 
tion of  beautiful  Oriental  Manuscripts,  principally  Sanscrit, 
presented  by  Theodore  A.  Neal,  Esquire,  of  Salem. 
These  were  selected,  at  the  request  of  the  donor,  by  one 
of  the  most  celebrated  native  scholars  in  Calcutta,  and  were 
copied  under  his  learned  superintendence,  as  interesting 
specimens  of  the  hterature  of  India,  to  those  who  seek  to 
pursue  Oriental  studies  in  the  Western  world. 


*  Since  the  date  of  the  above  report,  the  number  of  contributors  has  been  in- 
creased, and  is  to  be  further  extended  to  one  hundred,  in  order  to  procure  a 
suitable  case  for  these  and  other  memorials  of  Washington,  to  put  the  binding 
of  the  books  in  perfect  condition,  and  to  pay  for  the  printing  of  an  appropri- 
ate descriptive  catalogue  of  the  collection.     The  list  is  now  (1830)   as  follows  : 

CONTRIBUTORS  TO  THE  PURCHASE  OF  THE  WASHINGTON  LIBRARY. 
Israel  Lombard,  William  Bordman,  Charles  E.  Norton, 


J.  IngersoU  Bowditch, 
Francis  Bacon, 
Jonathan  Phillips, 
Theodore  Chase, 


Abbott  Lawrence, 
James  K.  Jlills, 
George  H.  Kuhn, 
Edward  H.  Robbins, 


Thos.  Wigglesworth,  Jr.,  Jonas  Chickering, 


Henry  Lee,  Jr., 
Charles  Beck, 
Ozias  Goodwin, 
Henry  Lee, 
Andrews  Norton, 
John  P.  Cushing, 
William  G.  Stearns, 
Edward  Everett, 
Jared  Sparks, 
Daniel  Austin, 
I  Nathan  Rice  &. 
John  Ware, 
George  Ticknor, 
J.  Davis,  Jr., 
William  S.  Bullard, 
S.  H.  Bullard, 
H.  P.^Oxnard, 
Charles  H.  Mills, 
William  Appleton, 
Samuel  Lawrence, 


Samuel  Austin, 
George  M.  Barnard, 
William  Perkins, 
John  E.  Thayer, 
Edward  Austin, 
Moses  Grant, 
Edmund  Dwight,  Jr., 
John  C.  Gray, 


Samuel  Batchelder, 
John  C.  Warren, 
David  Sears, 
Robert  G.  Shaw  &  Co., 
George  W.  Lyman, 
Josiah  Quincy,  Jr., 
Thomas  B.  Wales, 
William  T.  Eustis, 
Daniel  C.  Bacon, 
Daniel  P.  Parker, 
George  E.  Ellis, 

5  Joseph  lasigi  & 
George  Parkman, 


Milton,  Cushman,  &  Co.,  Edmund  Dwight, 


James  Lloyd, 
John  J.  Dixwell, 
Francis  C.  Lowell, 
Thomas  Lee, 
James  Read, 
Nathan  Appleton, 
Amos  Lawrence, 
Thomas  H.  Perkins, 
Edward  N.  Perkins, 
Benjamin  D.  Greene, 
George  Livermore, 


John  A.  Lowell, 
C,  Gaylon  Pickman, 
Z.  Hosmer, 
Nathaniel  Silsbee, 
George  Peabody, 
Francis  Peabody, 
W.  Neal, 

William  Pickman, 
Daniel  Webster, 
Samuel  T.  Armstrong, 
Richard  Fletcher. 


190  HISTORY    OF 

"  The  Hon.  Charles  Francis  Adams  has  recently  pre- 
sented the  numerous  and  vahiable  pamphlets  accumulated 
by  his  father,  the  late  John  Quincy  Adams,  to  the  num- 
ber of  between  six  and  seven  thousand,  which  go  to  en- 
rich a  department  in  which  the  Athenceum  is  perhaps 
unrivalled  by  any  other  Library  in  the  country. 

"  Dr.  Oliver  Wendell  Holmes  has  presented  a  valuable 
portion  of  the  library  of  his  father,  the  late  Rev.  Dr. 
Holmes,  the  annalist  of  America ;  and  many  others  have 
made  smaller  donations,  yet  considerable  for  their  number, 
or  for  the  separate  value  of  each  book.  A  list  of  all  the 
donors  during  the  year  is  annexed. 

"  The  total  number  of  books  given  during  the  year  is, 
of  bound  volumes  830,  of  pamphlets  7,393, 

"  The  whole  number  of  books  purchased  during  the  year 
is  3,346  volumes,  and  11,000  pamphlets. 

"  Thus  the  increase  of  the  Library  in  the  past  year  has 
been  4,176  bound  volumes,  and  18,393  pamphlets  or 
tracts. 

"  The  number  of  volumes  bound  during  the  year  is  1,115, 
beside  a  large  number  repaired." 

By  the  Treasurer's  report,  it  appeared  that  the  income 
the  past  year,  applicable  to  general  expenses,  from  all  sour- 
ces, including  the  Bromfield  fund,  amounted  to  $  10,048-46 

And  the  general  expenses  and  books  were  6,276*84 

That  the  balance  to  the  credit  of  the  Fine 

Arts  fund  last  year  was         .         .         .     1 1,392-19 

That  there  had  been  received  the  past  year         1,182-87 

$  2,575¥6 
And  there  had  been  paid      .         .         .  1,067-92 

$1,507^4 
That  the  whole  property  of  the  Athenaeum 

was $417,901-91 


THE    BOSTON    ATHENiEUM.  191 


Real  estate  on  Pearl  Street     $  23,095-89 
Do.  on  Beacon  Street         .      138,520-84 


161,616-73 
Lecture-room,  .  .  .  15,550-82 
Statues,  busts,  &c.,  including 

the  statue  of  Orpheus  .  19,921-63 

Books        ....     68,803-23 
Productive  property,         .       152,009-50 


$417,901-91 
By  the  same  report  it  appeared  that  the 

income   from  the    Bromfield  donation, 

during  the  past  year,  amounted  to  .  $  2,167-93 
Of  which  $  1,152-93  had  been  applied  to 

the  purchase  of  books,  conformably  to 

the  terms  prescribed  by  the  donor ;  and 

the  capital  of  the  fund  now  amounted  to     $  26,207-65 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Trustees  in  January  1849,  the 
statue,  in  marble,  of  "  The  Backwoodsman,"  executed  by 
Henry  Dexter,  was  presented  to  the  Athenseum,  in  the  name 
of  the  following  donors :  —  Samuel  Appleton,  Thomas  H. 
Perkins,  Abbott  Lawrence,  David  Sears,  Edmund  Dwight, 
Nathan  Appleton,  William  Lawrence,  George  W.  Lyman, 
Samuel  A.  EUot,  George  C.  Shattuck,  George  C  Shattuck, 
Jr.,  Edward  Brooks,  John  D.  Williams,  John  Bryant,  Jr., 
John  C.  Gray,  John  P.  Gushing,  Wilhara  Appleton,  Fran- 
cis C.  Gray,  Jonas  Chickering,  and  Josiah  Quincy,  Jr. ; 
for  which  appropriate  thanks  were  voted  by  the  Trustees. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Proprietors  on  the  9th  of  February, 
1849,  a  committee  which  had  been  appointed  by  them  at 
the  preceding  annual  meeting,  "  to  examine  the  financial 
and  other  affairs  of  the  institution,  the  Treasurer  and  other 
officers  being  requested  to  afford  such  information  as  will  en- 


192  HISTORY   OF 

able  them  to  report  as  to  the  history  of  the  institution  for 
the  past  two  years,  and  its  future  covtrse,"  made  the  report 
which  follows. 

"  The  Committee,  appointed  at  the  last  annual  meeting  of  the 
Proprietors,  to  examine  the  financial  and  other  affairs  of  the 
institution,  and  to  report  as  to  its  recent  history  and  future 
course,  offer  the  following 

REPORT. 

"  The  past  history  and  immediate  concerns  of  the  Atheneeum 
are  so  closely  connected  with  the  original  design  of  its  removal, 
and  the  consequences  resulting  from  it,  that  the  recital  of  the 
proceedings  in  relation  thereto  is  rendered  necessary. 

"  The  first  reference  to  the  subject  of  a  removal  of  the 
Athenaeum  was  at  a  meeting  of  the  Trustees,  held  June  11, 
1843,  when  a  committee  was  appointed  '  to  see  if  any  thing  can 
and  should  be  done  towards  removing  the  Athenaeum  from  its 
present  position,  to  some  place  nearer  the  centre  of  the  city.' 

"  October  9,  1843,  this  committee  of  the  Trustees  made  a 
report  to  that  board,  in  regard  to  a  location  for  the  Athenaeum, 
and  they  were  instructed  to  obtain  a  refusal  of  the  lots  of  land 
in  Tremont  Street,  and  to  obtain  subscriptions,  in  case  the  re- 
fusal can  be  obtained. 

"At  the  next  annual  meeting  of  the  Proprietors,  January  1, 
1841,  the  above  committee  of  Trustees  reported,  that  they  had 
obtained  a  refusal  of  the  estate  in  Tremont  Street,  that  the  land 
and  building  will  require  about  one  hundred  thousand  dollars, 
which  they  are  of  opinion  can  be  raised  by  sale  of  property  be- 
longing to  the  Athenaeum,  by  subscription,  and  sale  of  new 
shares.  It  was  accordingly  '  Voted,  that  the  Trustees  be  au- 
thorized to  take  all  necessary  measures  for  the  erection  of  a 
new  building  on  the  spot  proposed,  as  soon  as  they  are  satisfied 
that  the  means  can  be  obtained  to  complete  the  same  without 
incurring  a  debt,  or  permanently  diminishing  the  income  of  the 
Athenaeum.' 

"  At  a  meeting  of  the  Trustees,  a  few  days  after,  January 


THE   BOSTON   ATHEN^UM.  193 

8,  1844,  a  committee  was  authorized  to  purchase  the  estate  he- 
tween  Tremont  Street  and  Court  Square,  whenever  they  should 
obtain  the  assurance  of  raising  a  sum  of  money  equal  to  237 
shares,  at  three  hundred  dollars  per  share. 

"  At  the  succeeding  annual  meeting  of  the  Proprietors,  Janu- 
ary 6,  1845,  this  committee  made  a  report,  that  they  had  pur- 
chased the  Tremont  Street  estate  for  S  84,102,  that  the  estimated 
cost  of  a  suitable  building  was  $  76,000,  making  $  160,102  ;  — 
amount  of  available  funds,  new  shares  $  72,300,  Pearl  Street 
estate  $  40,000,  notes  receivable  $28,000,  making  $  140,300  ; 
deficiency  §  19,802.  The  erection  of  a  building  was  then  au- 
thorized by  the  Proprietors,  '  as  soon  as  $  20,000  more  can  be 
raised  by  subscriptions,  by  sale  of  new  shares,  or  other  disposi- 
tion of  parts  of  the  building  to  be  hereafter  erected.'  It  was  also 
'  Voted,  that  the  building  committee  be  directed  to  cause  to  be 
prepared  plans  for  the  building,  and  that  the  same  be  submitted 
to  a  meeting  of  the  Proprietors  to  be  called  for  the  purpose.' 

"  On  the  following  20th  of  May  the  plans  were  accordingly 
submitted  to  the  Proprietors,  at  a  special  meeting ;  —  resolutions 
were  proposed  with  a  view  to  an  increased  income,  a  warm 
and  animated  discussion  followed,  and  finally  the  subject  was 
referred  to  a  committee  of  ten,  with  instructions  to  consider  and 
decide  upon  the  various  plans  submitted,  and  to  report  at  a  fu- 
ture meeting  a  plan  for  the  Athenoeum,  and  estimates  for  the 
expense  of  the  same. 

"  The  report  of  the  committee  of  ten  was  laid  before  the 
Proprietors,  at  a  meeting  called  for  the  purpose,  June  24, 
1845,  and  the  Trustees  were  authorized  to  build  on  Tremont 
Street,  according  to  the  recommendations  of  the  committee, 
whereby  Mr.  George  M.  Dexter's  plan  was  adopted,  with  the 
assurance  of  a  greatly  increased  income. 

"  A  kw  days  subsequent,  June  30th,  in  pursuance  of  the  do- 
ings of  the  meeting  of  the  Proprietors,  a  committee  was  appoint- 
ed by  the  board  of  Trustees  to  solicit  further  subscriptions. 

"  At  a  special  meeting  of  the  Proprietors,  called  for  the  pur- 
pose, November  19,  1845,  this  committee  reported  that  a  suffi- 


194  HISTORY   OP 

cient  sum  could  not  be  raised  to  render  it  prudent  to  build  on 
Tremont  Street,  and  they  recommended  the  sale  of  the  Tremont 
Street  estate,  and  the  purchase  of  the  estate  on  Beacon  Street. 
This  report  was  accepted,  and  the  Trustees  were  authorized 
to  sell  the  estate  on  Tremont  Street,  and  buy  the  estate  on  Bea- 
con Street.  No  authority  was  given  to  the  Trustees,  at  this 
meeting  or  at  any  subsequent  meeting  of  the  Proprietors,  for  the 
erection  of  any  building  on  the  Beacon  Street  estate. 

"  This  estate  was  purchased  of  Mr.  Edw-ard  B.  Phillips, 
Deccember  1,  1845,  for  $55,000,  —  $  15,000  cash,  and  the 
balance  by  note  for  ten  years,  secured  by  mortgage. 

"  The  Tremont  Street  estate  was  sold  to  Mr.  David  Kimball, 
on  the  20th  of  the  same  month,  for  $  109,221-25,  payable 
$  10,000  cash  2Tth  December,  and  by  note  dated  May  1,  1846, 
on  demand,  for  $  100,000,  including  ^  778-75  interest,  and 
secured  by  mortgage. 

"  The  annual  meeting  of  the  Proprietors  took  place  on  the  5th 
of  January  following.  At  this  meeting  no  report  was  made  by 
the  Trustees  in  relation  either  to  the  sale  or  the  purchase,  and 
no  allusion  was  made  to  either  subject. 

"  At  a  meeting  of  the  Trustees,  January  12, 1846,  it  was  '  Vot- 
ed, that  the  building  committee  consist  of  the  President,  the 
Vice-President,  and  the  Treasurer,  with  Mr.  Andrews  and  Mr. 
Amory,  and  that  they  be  authorized  to  procure  designs  and  take 
the  necessary  measures  for  erecting  a  suitable  building  for  the 
Athenaeum,  on  the  land  purchased  in  Beacon  Street,  with  as 
much  despatch  as  is  consistent  with  the  advantageous  execution 
of  the  work.' 

"  During  the  month  of  March  following,  three  designs  were  of- 
fered to  the  Trustees,  and  that  of  Mr.  Edward  C  Cabot  had  been 
selected.  Some  concern  was  expressed  for  the  disappointment 
of  Mr.  Dexter,  who  had  sent  in  one  of  the  designs,  and  it  was 
proposed  that  he  should  be  associated  with  Mr.  Cabot  in  the 
execution  of  the  plan  offered.  Mr.  Cabot  hesitated,  and,  when 
the  suggestion  was  made  that  Mr.  Rogers,  an  experienced  archi- 
tect, should  bo  employed  under  his  superintendence,  it  seemed 


THE   BOSTON   ATHENiEUM.  195 

to  him  more  satisfactory.  His  objections,  however,  were  over- 
ruled, and  it  was  agreed  that  they,  Messrs.  Dexter  &  Cabot, 
should  carry  on  the  business  of  architecture  jointly  for  the  pe- 
riod of  three  years;  —  Mr.  Cabot  to  attend  principally  to  the 
office  business  and  drawing,  and  Mr.  Dexter  to  the  out-door  or 
construction  part. 

"  Arrangements  were  now  made  for  the  progress  of  the 
work,  and,  on  the  10th  of  August,  1846,  it  was  voted  by  the 
Trustees, '  that  the  Treasurer  be  authorized  to  pay  such  bills  or 
drafts  for  the  cost  of  erecting  the  new  building  on  Beacon 
Street,  as  shall  be  presented  to  him  by  order  of  the  architects, 
and  sanctioned  by  the  chairman  of  the  building  committee.' 

"At  the  annual  meeting  of  the  Proprietors,  January  4,  1847, 
the  President  read  a  statement  of  expense  already  incurred, 
amounting  to  S  12,499- 13,  and  an  estimate  of  cost  to  finish, 
being  $52,996-52,  the  two  sums  making  8  65,495-65,  about 
the  amount  of  the  original  estimate  by  Mr.  Cabot. 

"In  relation  to  Mr.  Cabot's  estimate  it  is  proper  to  state,  that, 
as  he  informs  your  committee,  it  was  made  with  great  care  by 
Mr.  S.  C.  Bugbee,  an  architect  of  this  city,  who  expressed 
himself  willing  to  contract  for  the  erection  and  completion  of 
the  building  for  the  amount  named  ;  and  Mr.  Cabot  has  entire 
confidence,  that  the  design,  as  presented  by  him,  could  have 
been  executed  within  the  estimate. 

"  In  the  mean  time  the  work  advanced.  Mr.  Cabot  made  all 
the  working  plans  which  were  used,  or  they  were  made  under 
his  direction.  When  completed,  they  were,  as  requested, 
handed  to  the  mechanics,  or  to  Mr.  Dexter  himself,  who  had, 
as  he  informs  your  committee,  no  detailed  plans  or  specifica- 
tions furnished  to  him,  and  no  reference  was  had  to  former 
estimates  of  cost.  No  specific  contracts  were  made  with  that 
care  and  attention,  which  the  magnitude  and  importance  of  the 
work  would  seem  to  have  demanded.  Materials  were  ordered, 
or  agreements  made  for  their  supply  ;  the  work  was  engaged 
by  the  day,  or  proposals  were  made  and  accepted  according 
to  the  discretion  of  Mr.  Dexter,  from  whom,  as  he  states,  no 


196  HISTORY   OF 

account  of  costs  was  rendered,  or  estimates  asked  for,  till  June, 
1848,  and  who  assured  your  committee^  that,  with  the  exception 
of  the  chairman  of  the  building  committee,  they  had  then  sug- 
gested to  him  the  first  and  only  inquiries  in  relation  to  the 
Athenaeum. 

"  On  the  27th  April,  1847,  the  Corner  Stone  of  the  new 
building  was  laid. 

"  The  difficulty  of  negotiating  a  mortgage  for  so  unusual  an 
amount  as  $  100,000,  had  rendered  it  necessary  that  the  Treas- 
urer should  make  use  of  his  own  credit,  with  that  of  the  insti- 
tution, in  order  to  meet  the  increasing  demands  on  him.  Ac- 
cordingly, at  a  meeting  of  the  Trustees,  November  8,  1847, 
on  motion  of  Mr.  Quincy,  it  was  '  ordered,  that  the  Treasurer, 
Josiah  Quincy,  Jr.,  be  authorized  to  give  the  note  or  notes  of 
the  Athenaeum  for  any  amounts  that  may  be  required  for  the 
erection  of  the  new  building  on  Beacon  Street,  and  to  negotiate 
and  renew  the  same  at  pleasure;'  also,  'ordered,  that  the 
Treasurer,  Josiah  Quincy,  Jr.,  be  authorized  to  retain  or  pledge, 
as  security,  any  of  the  property  of  the  Athenaeum  now  in  his 
hands.' 

"  As  the  time  approached  for  the  annual  meeting  of  the  Pro- 
prietors, it  was  thought  desirable  to  ascertain  the  amount  of  ex- 
penditures to  the  31st  of  December,  1847.  No  regular  meetings 
of  the  building  committee  had  been  held,  nor  had  they,  in  any 
instance,  during  the  past  year,  been  officially  called  together. 
No  definite  idea  could  be  formed,  nor  were  the  means  affijrded 
for  any  precise  opinion,  on  the  subject.  Under  these  circum- 
stances, it  may  be  supposed  that  the  statement  laid  before  the 
Trustees,  only  a  short  time  before  the  meeting  of  the  Proprie- 
tors, 3  January,  1848,  occasioned  no  small  degree  of  surprise, 
when  it  appeared,  that  seventy  thousand  dollars  had  already 
been  expended. 

"  No  reference  was  had,  however,  nor  any  allusion  made,  to 
the  subject,  by  the  Trustees,  at  the  meeting  of  the  Proprietors. 

"  In  the  mean  time,  the  demand  for  money  had  increased,  and, 
some  arrangement  having  become  necessary,  it  was  voted  by 


THE   BOSTON   ATHEN^UM.  197 

the  Trustees,  14  February,  1848,  '  that  the  Treasurer  be,  and 
he  hereby  is,  authorized  to  take  notes  of  Daniel  Kimball,  as 
collateral  to  his  mortgage  note  for  $  100,000,  for  such  time  or 
times  as  he  may  agree,  and  to  transfer  the  same  by  indorse- 
ment:  Provided,  that  the  present  security  of  the  Athenaeum 
shall  in  no  way  be  diminished  by  such  transaction.' 

"Nine  notes,  signed  by  David  Kimball,  were  in  consequence 
given  to  the  Treasurer,  during  the  month  of  April  following. 
These  notes  were  drawn  at  six  months  from  date,  for  various 
sums,  in  all  amounting  to  forty  thousand  dollars,  and  payable 
to  the  Treasurer  of  the  Boston  Athenseum,  by  whom  a  receipt 
was  given,  in  which  it  is  stated,  that  said  notes  are  to  stand  as 
collateral  security  for  the  note  and  mortgage  now  held  by  said 
Boston  Athenseum  for  $  100,000  and  interest,  against  said  Kim- 
ball, and,  moreover,  that  it  is  understood  to  be  the  intention  of 
the  Athenaeum  not  to  press  said  Kimball  on  his  large  note 
and  mortgage,  while  he  shall  continue  to  meet  punctually  the 
notes  this  day  given,  and  to  keep  down  the  interest.  These 
notes  have  never  been  paid,  but  have  been  renewed  and  dis- 
counted, from  time  to  time,  with  the  indorsement  of  the 
Treasurer. 

"  When  it  was  ascertained  that  the  expenditures  had  so  far 
exceeded  the  estimates,  immediate  measures  had  been  taken  to 
check  the  progress  of  the  work,  and,  on  the  10th  of  April,  1848, 
the  President,  as  chairman  of  the  building  committee,  laid  be- 
fore the  Trustees  a  statement,  showing  '  that  the  exterior  of 
the  building  has  now  cost  seventy  thousand  dollars,  and  that  to 
complete  the  interior,  in  a  manner  corresponding  with  what 
has  been  done,  would  require  fifty  thousand  dollars  more.'  It 
was  accordingly  voted,  '  that  the  building  committee  cause  an 
iron  staircase  to  be  erected  in  the  vestibule  of  the  new  building, 
and  the  library  to  be  finished  in  the  style  and  manner  of  the 
original  design,  leaving  other  parts  of  the  interior  wholly  un- 
finished.' 

"  In  compliance  with  the  above  vote,  contracts  were  made 
for  the  completion  of  the   library  and   staircase,  and  on    the 


198  HISTORY   OF 

20th  of  June,  1848,  the  result  was  as  follows  :  $  73,67899  paid 
and  outstanding;  contracts  to  finish  library  and  staircase, 
$  23,649-50  ;  making  $  97,328-49,  commissions  not  included. 

"  It  was  natural,  however,  that  an  earnest  desire  should  ex- 
ist, and  that  efforts  should  be  made,  to  remove  the  obstacles  in 
the  way  of  a  completion  of  the  building.  The  Trustees,  in 
consequence,  voted,  May  8,  1848,  '  that  the  President  and  Vice- 
President  be  a  committee  to  consider  and  report  what  measures 
it  is  expedient  to  take  in  order  to  obtain  funds  sufficient  for  the 
completion  of  the  Athenaeum  building  according  to  the  original 
design  of  the  same.' 

"  August  14,  1848,  the  above  committee  laid  before  the 
Trustees  a  letter  addressed  by  them  to  Josiah  Quincy,  Jr., 
Mayor,  offering  conditionally  the  free  use  of  the  Athenaeum  Li- 
brary to  the  citizens  of  Boston. 

"  This  proposition,  with  the  accompanying  papers,  having 
been  laid  before  the  Proprietors  at  a  special  meeting  called  for 
the  purpose,  October  24,  1848,  the  whole  subject  was  indefi- 
nitely postponed. 

"  A  strong  desire  having  been  expressed  by  the  Proprietors 
for  further  information,  and  no  full  exposition  of  the  affairs  of 
the  institution  having  been  made  at  the  annual  meeting,  held 
January  1,  1849,  a  committee  was  then  appointed  for  that  pur- 
pose. 

"  Your  committee  have  thus  recited  the  leading  incidents  in 
the  recent  history  of  the  Athenaeum. 

"  As  an  important  object  of  inquiry,  they  have  turned  their 
attention  to  the  note  of  Mr.  Kimball  for  $  100,000,  secured  by 
mortgage.  It  appears,  that,  although  the  Tremont  Street  estate 
had  been  sold  on  the  20th  of  December,  1845,  the  negotiation 
had  been  consummated,  and  the  deeds  to  and  from  Mr.  Kimball 
had  been  dated  and  delivered,  1st  of  May,  1846.  On  the  same 
day  Mr.  Kimball  was  one  of  the  parties  to  an  indenture  and 
trust  deed,  duly  recorded,  by  which  he  conveyed  the  Tremont 
Street  estate,  subject  to  the  mortgage  of  $  100,000,  to  Addison 
Gilmore  and  Ellis  Gray  Loring,  in  trust,  as  security  for  the  pay- 


THE   BOSTON   ATHEN^UM.  199 

ment  of  certain  bonds,  to  the  amount  of  eighty  thousand  dollars, 
and  by  which  indenture  he  covenants  to  pay  to  said  trustees, 
in  addition  to  the  interest  on  said  bonds,  the  sum  of  fourteen 
thousand  dollars  per  annum,  in  quarterly  payments  of  $  3,500. 
This,  it  will  be  seen,  is  virtually  an  agreement  on  his  part  to 
appropriate  the  rents  and  proceeds  of  the  estate  to  the  gradual 
payment  of  a  second  mortgage,  and  thereby  disqualify  himself 
from  the  payment  of  any  portion  of  his  note  on  demand,  secured 
by  a  first  mortgage.  This  is  the  more  to  be  regretted,  as  Mr. 
Kimball's  mortgage  would  seem  to  have  been  eminently  the 
means  this  institution  should  have  relied  on  to  pay  oif  its  heavy 
impending  liabilities.  And,  so  far  as  the  above-mentioned  cov- 
enant on  the  part  of  Mr.  Kimball,  added  to  the  unusually  large 
amount  of  the  mortgage,  may  render  its  negotiation  difficult, 
is  the  necessity  increased  of  taking  legal  possession,  under  the 
mortgage  note,  as  the  only  alternative  in  order  to  realize  its 
payment. 

"  The  statement  of  the  liabilities  and  resources  of  the  Athe- 
nseum  is  as  follows  : 

Notes  Receivable. 

Mass.  Hosp.  Life  Ins.  Co., ^  20,000 

David  Kimball, 100,000 

Sundry  small  notes,       ......  800 

$  120,800 


Notes  Payable. 

To  E.  B.  Phillips,  due  Dec.  1,  1855,  ...  $  40,000 

"  Th.    Greenleaf,  "  Mar.  10,   1853,     .         .         .  36,800 
"  E.  B.  Phillips,     "  on  demand,      ....     4,000 

"  J.  A.  Lowell,     "  Feb.  6,  1849,       .         .         .  6,000 

"  T.  Wigglesworth,      "  22,      "      .         .         .  .     3,000 

"  J.  Quincy,  Jr.,  "     "  28,      "...  4,000 

"  J.  Quincy,  Jr.,  "  Mar.  1,       "       .         .         .  .     2,000 

"  J.  A.  Lowell,      "     "      1,      "            ...  4,000 

"  T.  G.  Gary,       "  April  7,      "       .         .         .  .     5,000 

"  J.  Quincy,  Jr.,  «     "  28,      "...  3,000 


200  HISTORY   OF 

To  J.  Quincy,  Jr.,  due  May  1,  1849,  .         .         .         .     2,500 
"  David  Kimball's  notes,  indorsed,  negotiated,  and  pro- 
ceeds  realized   by  the  Treasurer,  due  on  or  be- 
fore 23d  April, 40,000 

$  150,300 


"  The  liahilities  of  the  Athenaeum  will  thus  stand: 
Notes  payable,  as  per  schedule,        .         .         .     $  150,300'00 
J.  Quincy,  Jr.,  Treasurer,  balance  of  account,  3,516'66 

Baring,  Brothers,  &  Co.,      .....  23  90 

$  153,840-56 

To  which  add  contracts  payable  in  April  and  May,      17,149-50 

Balance  of  commissions  to  architects,     .         .         .     1,750-00 

"       to  mechanics,        .....  500-00 

Estimated  expenses,  not  included  in  contracts,  with 

expenses  of  removing,  furnishing,  etc.,         .         .     4,55994 

$  177,800-00 
Available  Means. 
Real  estate  on  Pearl  Street,  estimated        .         .     $  40,00000 
New  England  Bank,   10  shares,    ....      1,00000 
Columbian  Bank,  40  shares,       ....  4,00000 

Notes  receivable,  as  per  schedule,         .         .  120,800-00 

$  165,80000 

"  From  this  statement  it  appears,  that,  on  the  contemplated 

removal  to  the  new  building,  there  will  be  a  deficit,  on  work 

actually  finished,  of $  12,000 

And  to  finish  the  edifice  as  originally  intended,  and  as 
is  requisite  for  the  purposes  for  which  it  was  designed, 
will  require,  as  per  estimate,  ....  25,000 

in  addition  to  our  present  means.  So  that  $  37,000  are  re- 
quired to  complete  the  building,  or  $  12,000  to  pay  the  actual 
debts,  leaving  the  building  in  its  present  unfinished  state. 

"  It  would  also  appear  from  these  facts  and  estimates,  that 
the  estate  on  Beacon  Street  will  have  cost,  on  the  completion  of 
the  building,  $  180,000. 


THE    BOSTON   ATHEN^UM.  201 

"  Your  committee  are,  however,  under  the  impression,  after 
conferences  with  Mr.  Dexter  and  others,  that  $  35,000  would 
be  a  safer  estimate  fur  such  completion,  and  that  the  ultimate 
cost  of  the  estate  will  amount  to  §  190,000. 

"  This  amount  is  larger  than  could  have  been  anticipated, 
and,  had  it  been  foreseen,  larger  than  our  immediate  resour- 
ces would  have  warranted  or  could  have  justified.  Never- 
theless, it  is  gratifying  to  know  that  the  work  has  been  well 
done,  with  the  best  materials  and  in  the  most  substantial  and 
durable  manner.  And  this  elegant  and  costly  edifice,  when 
finished,  will  present  a  fine  specimen  of  architectural  taste,  and 
one  admirably  adapted  to  the  object  designed,  and  worthy  of 
the  purposes  to  which  it  is  to  be  applied. 

"  The  Athenasum  has  always  been  a  cherished  object  of  in- 
terest. Among  its  earliest  and  best  friends  were  numbered 
some  of  the  brightest  ornaments  of  our  city,  and  their  example 
and  efforts  have  shed  an  influence,  and  awakened  feelings, 
that  have  supported  it  in  its  earlier  struggles ;  while  the  unceas- 
ing efforts  and  munificent  patronage  of  its  friends  at  a  later 
period  have  made  it  not  less  an  object  of  just  pride  to  our 
whole  community,  than  of  refined  enjoyment  to  its  immediate 
proprietors. 

"  To  strangers  it  has  afforded  the  best  means  of  hospitality. 
Under  the  auspices  of  our  valua!)le  Librarian,  and  with  the  ad- 
vantages of  more  liberal  and  suitable  accommodations,  the  hope 
had  been  entertained  that  a  new  and  auspicious  era  was  about 
to  open,  while  your  committee  are  aware  that  their  appointment 
has  been  dictated  by  a  feeling  of  anxious  interest,  which  has 
lately  been  awakened  as  to  the  future  prospects  of  this  valuable 
institution. 

"  Of  that  future  they  should  have  no  distrust ;  —  all  the  re- 
sources of  the  corporation  are  under  the  control  of  those,  whose 
judgment  and  experience  will  best  teach  them  how  to  avail  of 
them,  and  the  deep  interest  they  take  in  its  concerns  is  best 
evidenced  by  the  responsibility  they  have  assumed. 

"  To  the  Trustees,  therefore,  the  friends  of  the  institution  will 

26 


202  HISTORY   OP 

look  with  renewed  feelings  of  interest,  and  with  a  confident 
hope,  that  their  bold  enterprise,  conrimenced  and  carried  on 
with  that  fearless  independence  and  personal  agency  which 
looks  mainly  to  the  object  to  be  accomplished,  may  result  in  a 
successful  completion  of  their  undertaking,  without  detriment  to 
the  important  interests  they  were  appointed  to  guard. 
"All  which  is  respectfully  submitted. 

Chas.  Torrey, 
Wm.  Rollins, 

E.  H.  RoBBINS, 

Francis  B.  Hayes. 
"  Boston,  Feb.  9,  1849." 

"  The  above  Report  having  been  read,  the  President  remarked 
that  he  felt  bound,  in  justice  to  the  gentlemen  who  had  been  as- 
sociated with  him,  to  state  some  facts,  to  the  following  effect, 
which  should  be  understood  in  connection  with  the  representa- 
tions given  in  the  Report,  viz. 

"  The  building  committee  had  concluded,  at  the  outset,  that 
it  was  not  best  to  put  the  whole  building  under  contract,  as 
that  would  preclude  all  alterations  in  the  plan  of  structure 
which  might  be  found  advisable,  and  they  considered  it  impor- 
tant that  the  work  should  be  thoroughly  done.  But  they  had 
made  a  formal  contract  for  the  stone  to  be  used,  and  agreed  for 
the  hammering  of  it  at  a  fixed  price.  The  bricks  were  to  be 
laid  by  the  thousand,  being  bought  at  the  market  price. 

"  There  had  been  no  neglect  to  hold  meetings  of  the  build- 
ing committee  at  any  time  when  such  meetings  were  likely 
to  have  been  of  use.  Such  meetings  had  been  frequent  until 
the  mode  of  proceeding  with  the  structure  had  been  carefully 
arranged,  with  such  a  system  of  checks  in  the  disbursement  of 
money  as  provided  effectually  against  any  misapplication  of  it, 
none  having  been  paid  without  a  warrant  from  himself  as  Chair- 
man, and  a  voucher  to  the  Treasurer  from  the  mechanic  to 
whom  it  was  due.  Subsequently  to  this  arrangement,  the  Chair- 
man (representing  the  committee)  habitually  conferred  with  the 


THE   BOSTON   ATHEN^UM.  203 

architects,  and  consulted  with  the  several  members  of  the  com- 
mittee, whom  he  met  at  the  monthly  meetings  of  the  Trustees 
and  elsewhere. 

"  The  committee  were  early  aware  that  the  cost  must  ex- 
ceed the  estimate  given  with  the  design  by  the  architect,  Mr. 
Cabot ;  having  themselves  concluded  to  authorize  stone  ends  to 
the  building,  instead  of  brick,  which  was  found  necessary  to 
prevent  an  awkward  appearance  from  the  probable  removal 
hereafter  of  the  houses  on  each  side ;  and  having  authorized 
additional  ornament  on  the  rear,  which  proved  to  be  more  ex- 
posed to  view  than  was  anticipated.  They  felt,  however,  no 
serious  uneasiness  on  that  subject,  having,  by  the  purchase  and 
sale  of  the  estate  in  Tremont  Street,  added  twenty  thousand 
dollars  to  the  fund  appropriated  to  the  building,  and  believing, 
from  an  opinion  stated  by  the  executive  architect,  Mr.  Dexter, 
with  whom  the  President,  as  Chairman  of  the  committee,  had 
two  consultations  on  the  subject  as  the  work  advanced,  that  the 
whole  cost  would  not  probably  exceed  the  estimate  that  had 
accompanied  his  own  design,  that  estimate  having  been  eighty- 
five  thousand  dollars.  This  opinion  was  repeated  by  him  (Mr. 
Dexter),  but  was  founded  on  no  accurate  estimate,  and  was  un- 
derstood as  no  more  than  an  approximation  to  the  result. 

"  This  belief  was,  however,  thus  entertained  by  the  commit- 
tee until  the  close  of  the  year  1847,  when  Mi*.  Dexter  was  de- 
sired, by  actual  payment  of  all  bills  (as  he  had  done  the  year 
preceding  for  the  foundation),  to  ascertain  the  cost  of  the  exte- 
rior which  was  then  erected.  He  found,  to  his  own  surprise 
and  concern  as  well  as  that  of  the  committee,  that  it  amounted 
to  S  70,000,  and  that  to  complete  the  interior  in  the  same  style 
would  require  nearly  $  50,000  more. 

"  These  facts  were  not  fully  ascertained  in  season  for  a  cor- 
rect statement  of  them  at  the  annual  meeting,  held  in  January, 
1848.  The  general  affairs  of  the  community  were  then  becom- 
ing very  much  depressed  by  financial  difficulties  ;  and  the  com- 
mittee, expecting  no  aid  from  the  shareholders  under  such  cir- 
cumstances, thought   it  best  to  make  no  communication  of  any 


204  HISTORY  OF 

embarrassment,  unless  it  should  be  called  for,  but  simply  to 
stop  the  work  until  tliey  could  make  specific  contracts  for  so 
much  as  they  had  the  means  to  finish.  That  portion  of  the 
new  building  will  be  sufficient  to  receive  the  Library,  and  it 
will  be  ready  for  its  reception  in  about  two  months. 

"  The  above  work  being  of  the  most  substantial  character, 
the  committee  find  no  reason  to  believe  that  it  could  have 
been  as  well  done  for  materially  less  money  than  it  has  cost,  or 
to  regret  that  they  did  not  act  on  the  estimate  of  Mr.  Bugbee, 
who  probably  thought  of  a  building  quite  inferior  to  the  one 
erected.  That  estimate  was  $  61,988,  as  presented  by  Mr. 
Cabot,  who  has  since,  in  a  detailed  statement,  estimated  the 
cost  of  finishing  the  interior  in  a  suitable  manner  at  $  47,522. 
This  would  leave  from  Mr.  Bugbee's  estimate  only  $  14,466 
for  the  foundation  and  exterior,  which  is  manifestly  inadequate. 

"  In  relation  to  the  statement  in  the  Report,  that  a  committee 
of  the  Trustees  had  offered  the  use  of  the  Library  to  the  citizens 
of  Boston,  through  the  Mayor,  the  President  remarked  that  this 
was  a  mistake,  as  the  records  would  show ;  no  offer  of  the  kind 
having  been  made,  and  the  facts  in  reference  to  that  subject  be- 
ing these,  viz. 

"  The  Trustees  were  informed  by  the  Mayor  that  the  City 
had  been  authorized  by  the  Legislature  to  pay  §  5,000  annu- 
ally for  the  support  of  a  public  library,  and  that  probably  this 
annuity  and  the  sum  of  $  100,000  (which  he  supposed  could  be 
raised  by  subscriptions  among  citizens,  not  shareholders  of  the 
Athenaeum)  might  be  given  to  this  institution  to  complete  the 
new  building,  and  provide  for  a  great  extension  of  the  Library, 
on  condition  that  the  citizens  generally  should  be  admitted  to 
all  the  privileges  of  the  shareholders  in  the  Athenaeum.  The 
Trustees  declined  to  lay  this  proposal  before  the  shareholders, 
regarding  it  as  inadmissible. 

"  The  Trustees  were  then  desired,  on  the  part  of  the  City,  to 
state  what  terms  they  would  consent  to  lay  before  the  share- 
holders for  their  consideration.  To  this  it  was  replied,  that,  if 
they  should  receive  an  intimation  or  ofl"er  that  the  City  would 


THE   BOSTON   ATHEN^UM.  205 

furnish  the  sum  of  $  50,000  for  the  completion  of  the  new 
building,  and  $  5,000  annually  for  the  support  and  increase  of 
the  Library,  as  compensation  for  the  admission  of  the  citizens  to 
the  use  of  the  Library  only,  without  any  privileges  in  the  read- 
ing-room or  otherwise,  they  would  lay  the  subject  before  the 
shareholders  for  their  decision  on  it.  This  was  accordingly 
done  ;  the  shareholders  decided  not  to  authorize  the  arrange- 
ment ;  and,  the  Trustees  having  made  no  offer,  nor  commit- 
ted themselves  or  the  institution  in  any  way,  the  matter  end- 
ed there." 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Trustees  on  the  12th  of  February, 
1849,  the  Librarian  announced  a  large  donation  of  books 
and  pamphlets,  and  several  curious  and  beautiful  engrav- 
ings, paintings,  and  busts,  from  the  widow  of  Dr.  Benjamin 
Waterhouse,  being  part  of  the  library  and  collection  of  her 
deceased  husband ;  whereupon  was  passed  an  appropriate  vote 
of  thanks  to  Mrs.  Waterhouse  for  this  munificent  present. 

In  March,  1849,  Mr.  George  C.  Ward  presented  a  fine 
cast  of  the  celebrated  "  Venus  of  the  Capitol,"  for  which 
were  voted  suitable  thanks. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Trustees  on  the  9th  of  July,  the  build- 
ing committee  reported,  that  so  much  of  the  new  building, 
as  it  was  thought  best  to  complete  before  occupation,  would 
be  entirely  finished  in  the  course  of  a  month,  and  that,  the 
books  having  been  removed  to  it  and  arranged  for  use,  the 
building  would  be  forthwith  opened  for  the  Proprietors  ;  — 
that  the  cost  of  the  building,  in  its  present 
state,  had  been $104,296-28 

That  to  complete  it  in  a  thorough  manner 

would  require    .....         24,842*00 

$129,138-28 
The  amount  paid  for  the  land  was  .         .         55,000-00 

Making  a  total,  for  the  estate,  of       .         $  184,138-28 


20G  HISTORY    OF 

That  the    available  funds  and   resources 

for  the  land  and  the  new  buildhig  were  $  159,742*79 
And  the  cost  of  the  building 

was  at  present,  as  above 

stated,    .         .         .         $104,296-28 
And  of  the  land       .         .         55,000-00 


$  159,296-28 

Whereupon  a  vote  was  passed,  calUng  a  special  meeting  of 
the  Proprietors,  which  was  accordingly  holden  on  the  27th 
of  July,  1849,  and  a  general  statement  of  the  cost  of  the 
building  and  the  land,  as  well  as  of  the  available  funds, 
was  submitted,  with  a  particular  specification  of  facts  illus- 
trative of  both.  After  debate  a  vote  was  passed,  request- 
ing the  Trustees  to  consider,  and  report  at  a  future  meet- 
ing, such  measures  as  they  may  deem  advisable  to  raise  the 
necessary  funds  for  the  uses  of  the  Athen^um.  At  the 
same  meeting  the  Trustees  were  authorized  to  sell  the  real 
estate  in  Pearl  Street  at  such  time,  and  in  such  manner,  as 
they  should  deem  most  advantageous. 

In  conformity  with  the  first  of  the  preceding  votes,  the 
Trustees  prepared  a  report,  which  they  submitted  to  the 
Proprietors  at  a  special  meeting  on  the  29th  of  October  en- 
suing, in  the  following  words  : 

"REPORT. 

"  In  accordance  with  the  vote  passed  at  the  last  meeting 
of  the  Proprietors,  by  which  the  Trustees  were  requested  to 
consider  and  report  such  measures  as  they  may  deem  ad- 
visable to  raise  the  necessary  funds  for  the  uses  of  the 
Athenaeum,  and  also  to  report  what  probability  there  may 
be  that  such  measures  can  be  carried  out ;  that  subject  has 
been  referred  to  a  committee  of  the  board,  and  has  re- 
ceived particular  attention. 


THE   BOSTON   ATHEN^UM.  207 

"  The  most  obvious  and  convenient  mode  of  raising  funds 
appears  to  be,  to  obtain  subscriptions  for  new  shares,  if  pos- 
sible, at  the  present  subscription  price  of  three  hundred  dol- 
lars. Although  some  gentlemen  have  recommended  that 
the  price  should  be  reduced,  it  is,  as  yet,  uncertain  -whether 
as  much  money  would,  on  the  whole,  be  obtained  in  that 
way  ;  and  many  are  of  opinion  that  it  is  best  not  to  dimin- 
ish the  price. 

"A  commencement  has,  therefore,  been  made,  and  about 
thirty  shares  have  been  subscribed  for  at  $  300  each,  to 
be  issued,  if  the  proprietors  shall  authorize  it.  There  is 
reason  to  expect  that  this  list  of  subscriptions  will  be  con- 
siderably extended ;  but  time  is  required  to  draw  the  atten- 
tion of  individuals  to  the  subject,  with  suitable  explanations, 
and  it  is  not  very  probable  that  any  plan  can  be  carried 
very  speedily  into  effect. 

"  There  is,  however,  a  favorable  feeling  in  the  communi- 
ty ;  and  a  general  belief  is  expressed,  that  in  some  way  the 
means  will  be  furnished  to  complete  the  building,  and  in- 
crease the  funds  as  far  as  is  necessary  for  the  support  of 
the  institution. 

"  One  gentleman  has  offered  to  the  committee  to  be  one 
of  five  who  will  take  fifty  new  shares,  if  the  number  can  be 
made  up  to  two  hundred  shares,  at  $  300  each. 

"  Another  gentleman  has  offered  to  be  one  of  thirty  who 
shall  furnish  the  means  to  complete  the  building  by  each  of 
them  taking  three  new  shares  ;  and  a  few  other  gentlemen 
have  agreed  to  follow  his  example,  if  the  others  can  be 
found. 

"  Several  of  the  Proprietors,  also,  have  expressed  their 
readiness  to  submit  to  a  voluntary  assessment ;  and  there 
seems  encouragement  to  believe,  that,  in  this  way,  and  with 
the  subscriptions  that  can  be  obtained,  a  sum  equivalent  to 
two  hundred  new  shares  at  $  300  each,  or  nearly  so,  may 
be  raised  at  no  distant  period. 


208  HISTORY   OF 

"  It  is,  therefore,  recommended,  as  the  plan  for  present 
action,  that  the  eflForts  to  obtain  subscriptions  for  new  shares 
at  the  present  price  should  be  continued  ;  and  what  proba- 
bility there  is  of  success  may  be  inferred  from  Avhat  has 
been  stated,  the  whole  number  of  new  shares  that  are 
agreed  for,  either  with  conditions  or  without,  being  thus  far 
fifty-two. 

"  Unless  the  Proprietors  would  recommend  some  different 
plan  of  proceeding,  no  action  on  their  part  seems  to  be  re- 
quired at  present,  except  it  might  be  to  authorize  the  issue 
of  a  limited  number  of  shares  at  $  300  each. 

"  All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted. 
"  For  the  Trustees, 

"  Thomas  G.  Cart,  President. 

"  Boston,  Oct.  29,  1849." 

After  consideration  and  debate,  it  was  voted,  "  that  the 
Trustees  be  authorized  to  issue,  as  they  may  see  fit,  any 
number  of  new  shares  not  exceeding  two  hundred,  provided 
that  the  same  shall  not  be  sold  under  the  present  par  value." 
It  was  further  voted,  "  that  the  Trustees  be  requested  to 
ascertain  how  many  of  the  Proprietors  are  willing  to  assess 
themselves,  and  the  probable  amount  which  could  be  raised 
by  such  assessment  towards  paying  off  the  present  debt,  and 
providing  a  fund  for  the  future  support  of  the  Athenaeum." 

In  October,  also,  the  Librarian  announced  to  the  Trus- 
tees a  donation,  from  Miss  Elizabeth  P.  Peabody,  of  a  large 
and  valuable  collection  of  Polish  books  ;  for  which  a  suitable 
vote  of  thanks  was  passed. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Trustees  on  the  10th  of  December, 
1819,  the  recent  death  of  the  eminent  benefactor  to  the 
Athenaeum,  John  Bromfield,  having  been  made  known  to 
the  Trustees,  it  was  voted,  unanimously, 

"  That  the  President  be  requested  to  inform  the  relatives 


THE   BOSTON   ATHENAEUM.  209 

of  the  late  John  Bromfield,  Esquire,  that  the  Trastees  have 
heard  with  much  sensibiUtj  of  the  sudden  death  of  a  man 
so  distinguished  for  the  uprightness  of  his  character  and 
the  generosity  of  his  spirit,  and  whose  munificent  donation 
to  this  institution  places  him  among  the  most  distinguished 
patrons  of  literature  whom  this  country  has  produced." 

The  letter  of  Mr.  Gary,  the  President  of  the  Athenaeum, 
in  which  he  communicated  the  above  vote  to  Mrs.  Anne 
Tracy,  sister  of  Mr.  Bromfield,  and  which  was  placed  by  the 
Trustees  upon  their  record,  contains  the  following  personal 
tribute  to  his  memory : 

"  In  performing  this  duty,  I  avail  myself  of  the  opportu- 
nity to  express  the  satisfaction  with  which  I  recur  to  a  per- 
sonal acquaintance  with  him  extending  over  the  greater 
portion  of  his  active  life,  through  which  his  keen  sense  of 
what  is  honorable  and  virtuous  has  ever  been  conspicuous. 

"  As  one  of  those,  too,  who  were  charged  with  the  appli- 
cation of  his  noble  gift  to  the  purpose  intended,  I  am 
happy  in  a  behef  that  he  found  new  pleasure  in  witnessing 
the  fruitful  supply  that  it  steadily  furnished  to  the  intelli- 
gence and  happiness  of  the  public." 

At  the  annual  meeting  of  the  Proprietors  on  the  7th  of 
January,  1850,  on  the  suggestion  of  the  President,  a  com- 
mittee of  seven  was  appointed  to  nominate  a  list  of  offi- 
cers for  the  year  ensuing.  The  list  which  they  reported 
embraced  the  names  of  all  the  officers  of  the  preceding 
year,  excepting  William  R.  Lawrence,  who  had  resigned 
as  Trustee,  and  whose  place  was  now  supplied  by  the  choice 
of  William  Phillips.* 


*  Officers  chosen  in  1850. —  President,  Thomas  G.  Gary  ;  — 'Vice-President, 
John  A.  Lowell ; —  Treasurer,  Josiah  Quincy,  Jr. ; —  Secretary,  Henry  T.  Par- 
ker;—  Trustees,  Charles  Amory,  William  T.  Andrews,  Samuel  Austin,  George 
S.  Hillard.  Oliver  W.  Holmes,  George  T.  Lyman,  Henry  B.  Rogers,  Edward 
Wiggiesworth,  and  William  Phillips. 
27 


210  HISTORY   OF 

The  committee  for  examining  the  Library  reported,  that 
the  removal  of  it  to  the  new  building  was  completed  in  the 
preceding  July,  with  great  care  and  success ;  that  the  fin- 
ished hall  contained  about  40,000  volumes,  and  the  unfin- 
ished rooms  on  the  same  floor  about  10,000  more  (sup- 
posing the  pamphlets  to  be  bound  in  volumes  of  a  due  size)  ; 
and  that  the  more  accessible,  convenient,  and  agreeable  sit- 
uation of  the  Library  had  given  a  new  impulse  to  those  who 
seek  to  increase  it  by  donations  from  their  own  libraries. 

The  committee  on  the  Fine  Arts  reported,  that  the  usual 
annual  exhibition  had  been  omitted  the  last  summer,  and 
the  opportunity  embraced  to  have  the  pictures  cleaned  and 
repaired  by  competent  artists,  so  that  they  were  now  in  a 
better  condition  than  at  any  former  period ;  and  that  cir- 
cumstances had  as  yet  prevented  the  removal  of  the  stat- 
uary, with  the  exception  of  the  statue  of  Orpheus,  which 
had  been  safely  transported  to  the  new  building. 

The  statement  of  the  Treasurer  was  also  presented  by 
that  officer.  It  appeared  that  the  income  the  past  year, 
applicable  to  general  expenses,  had  been     .        $  9,955-40 

And  the  disbursements  for  general  expen- 
ses        0,039-23 

That  the  credit  to  the  Fine  Arts  fund  last 

year  was $1,507-14 

That  there  had  been  paid  this  year     .         .  654-84 


$  852-30 


That  the  balance  of  the  fund  applicable  to 
the  new  building,  as  by  last  year's  state- 
ment, was $  13,207-71 

That  there  had  been  expended  this  year  20,001-72 

Leaving  a  deficit  of       .         .         .         •        $  6,794-01 
That  the  whole  property  of  the  Athenaeum 

was -S  441,291-61 


THE   BOSTON  ATHEN^UM.  211 


Real  estate  on  Pearl  Street,    $  23,095-89 
Estate  on  Beacon  Street,        158,522-56 


$  181,618-45 
Lecture-room,         .        .  15,550-82 

Paintings,  busts,  &c.,  including 

the  Orpheus,  .  .  19,921-63 
Books,  ....  70,316-21 
Productive  property,       .         15o,884-50 

$441,291-61 
That  the  BromJBeld  fund  now  amounted  to        26,581*13 

At  this  meeting  the  President  stated,  that  the  debts  of 
the  Athenceum  amounted  to     .         .         .      $191,176-47 
That  the  assets  available  to  meet  the  above 

were 172,000-00 


And  the  deficiency  was         ...       $  19,176-47 

That,  if  this  deficiency  was  provided  for,  the  Athenaeum 
would  have  the  following  property  unencumbered,  viz. :  — 
•Estate  on  Beacon  Street,  at  cost,         .        $  158,522-56 
Add  outstanding  bills,   ....  4,164-71 

Library,  at  cost,  without  donations,  .  .  70,316*21 
Pictures  and  statuary,  do.  do.,  .  .  19,921-63 
Bromfield  fund  for  the  purchase  of  books,    .     26,581*13 

$  279,506-24 

At  a  special  meeting  of  the  Trustees  on  the  21st  of  Feb- 
ruary, 1850,  an  offer  of  Edward  Brooks  to  purchase  the 
estate  in  Pearl  Street,  for  the  sum  of  $  45,000,  was  read, 
and  accepted  by  the  Trustees,  subject  to  the  ratification  of 
the  Proprietors,  a  meeting  of  whom  was  called  for  this 
purpose  on  the  28th  of  the  same  month ;  when  the  Presi- 
dent laid  before  them  a  statement  of  the  affairs  of  the  Athe- 


212  HISTORY   OP 

nseum,  wliicli  had  been  previously  sent  to  each  Proprietor  in 
a  circular  letter,  of  which  the  following  is  a  copy : 

"  The  Trustees  of  the  Athen?eum  consider  it  a  duty  to  call 
the  particular  attention  of  the  Proprietors  to  the  present 
state  of  the  pecuniary  affairs  of  the  institution. 

"  At  the  last  annual  meeting,  the  Proprietors  were  in- 
formed by  the  President  that  the  usual  preparation  of  votes 
for  the  choice  of  officers,  for  this  year,  had  not  been  made, 
the  Trustees  being  desirous,  that,  after  the  important  trans- 
actions attending  the  removal  from  Pearl  Street  under  their 
direction,  the  choice  should  be  Avholly  unbiased  by  any 
such  preparation ;  and  he  recommended  that  a  committee  of 
nomination  should  be  appointed  to  prepare  a  ticket.  This 
was  done,  and  the  members  of  the  former  Board  were  re- 
elected. 

"  They  have  made  exertions  to  reduce  the  liabilities  of 
the  corporation  by  converting  its  assets  into  money  and  ob- 
taining aid  from  the  Proprietors ;  and  they  have  succeeded 
so  far  as  to  obtain  an  offer  for  the  estate  in  Pearl  Street  at 
the  price  at  which  it  was  estimated.  But,  with  the  high 
rate  of  interest  which  has  so  long  prevailed,  they  have 
not  been  able  to  succeed  farther ;  nor  do  they  meet  that 
cordial  cooperation  from  Proprietors  which  is  essential  to 
success. 

"  While  they  are  duly  sensible  of  the  favorable  regard 
indicated  by  their  reelection,  they  apprehend  that  they  do 
not  possess  the  confidence  of  the  Proprietors  ;  and  they  be- 
lieve it  to  be  for  the  welfare  of  the  institution,  which  is  in 
pressing  want  of  aid,  that  they  should  resign  the  manage- 
ment to  others  who  can  obtain  it. 

"  With  these  views,  they  have  concluded  to  tender  their 
resignations,  and  to  call  a  meeting  of  the  Proprietors,  that 
there  may  be  a  new  choice. 


THE    BOSTON   ATHEN^UM.  213 

"  In  the  mean  time  they  present  for  consideration  the 
following  statement  of  affairs. 

STATEMENT. 

"  The  Debts  of  the  institution  are  as  follows,  viz. 
Floating  debt,  consisting  chiefly  of  notes  given  by  the  Treas- 
urer and  discounted  at  banks  and  through  brokers,  .         .    $112,880-62 
Outstanding  bills  for  new  building,         ....  .     1,729-85 

Loan  from  Thomas  Greenleaf,  Esq.,  .....  36,80000 

Mortgage  on  estate  in  Beacon  Street,  due  December,  1855,  40,000*00 

$191,410-47 

"  The  Assets,  to  be  applied  to  the  above,  are  — 
D.   Kimball's  mortgage   on  Land   in   Tremont 

Street $100,000 

Proceeds  of  estate  in  Pearl  Street,  ....  45,000 
Investment  in  Massachusetts  Life  Insurance  Office,  20,000 
Bank   Stock,   $5,000;    Railroad  Stock,   $1,500; 

Notes,  $.500, 7,000 

172,00000 

Deficit, $19,410-47 

"  This  deficiency  has  been  caused  in  part  by  heavy 
charges  of  interest,  incurred  in  consequence  of  the  diffi- 
culty which  the  Treasurer  finds  in  obtaining  cash  for  the 
mortgage  of  ^  100,000  on  the  estate  in  Tremont  Street, 
and  may  be  increased  alarmingly  by  the  same  cause.  The 
security  is  unquestionable  ;  but  the  amount  is  so  large,  that, 
with  the  high  rate  for  money  which  has  prevailed  for  two 
years,  it  cannot  be  disposed  of.  The  interest  on  it  is  regu- 
Jarly  paid.  But  the  principal  itself  is  wanted  to  pay  off  the 
debts  of  the  institution  ;  and,  until  this  can  be  obtained,  the 
only  resource  is  to  raise  the  same  sum  of  money  on  disad- 
vantageous terms  where  it  can  be  foimd.  If  some  of  our 
wealthy  Proprietors  would  lend  any  considerable  portion  of 
the  $  100,000  at  6  per  cent,  interest,  dividing  the  loan  into 
small  sums,  and  one  of  them  holding  the  mortgage  as  trus- 


214  HISTORY    OF 

tee  for  all,  it  would  afford  great  relief.  Some  gentlemen 
have  expressed  their  readiness  to  do  so  if  a  sufficient  num- 
ber can  be  found. 

"  To  provide  for  the  further  wants  of  the  institution,  and 
to  complete  the  building,  the  Trustees  have  been  authorized 
to  issue  two  hundred  new  shares  at  $  300  each.  After 
considerable  exertion,  the  Trustees  have  succeeded  only  so 
far  as  to  obtain  subscribei'S  for  seventj-five  of  these  shares, 
and,  most  of  the  subscriptions  being  on  the  condition  that  a 
sum  should  be  secured  sufficient  to  relieve  the  institution 
from  embarrassment,  and  finish  the  building,  they  are  not 
yet  binding. 

"This  would  give $60,000 

Of  which  there  would  be  required  — 
To  provide  for  the  deficit,  say         ....     f  20,000 

To  finish  the  building, 25,000 

And  there  would  remain,  towards  a  fund  for  current 

expenses, .        15,000 

$60,000 

"  To  place  the  institution  on  a  proper  footing,  the  fund 
for  current  expenses  should  be  increased  hereafter  to 
$50,000. 

"  Several  of  the  Proprietors  have  expressed  their  readi- 
ness, in  consideration  of  the  great  improvement  of  the  prop- 
erty, to  submit  to  a  voluntary  assessment  of  one  hundred 
dollars  on  each  share,  provided  one  half  of  the  Proprietors 
would  agree  to  do  the  same  ;  and  some  names  have  been 
subscribed.  But  to  effect  the  object,  in  either  case,  it  is 
necessary  that  those  of  the  Proprietors  who  have  influence 
should  take  an  active  interest  in  the  subject,  and  aid  the 
Trustees,  who  may  be  chosen,  in  their  exertions. 

"  If  the  debts  were  liquidated  by  disposing  of  the  assets, 
and  the  deficit  which  has  been  mentioned  were  provided  for, 
the  institution  would  then  have  an  unencumbered,  perma- 
nent property  of  more  than  $  275,000,  invested  in  a  man- 


THE   BOSTON  ATHENiEUM.  215 

ner  peculiarly  well  suited  to  promote  the  objects  for  which 
it  was  established ;  viz. 

"  Estate  in  Beacon  Street,  amount  paid  for  land  and  building,     $  160,957-42 
Library,  taken  at  cost,  exclusive  of  donations,  .         .  70,316-21 

Paintings  and  statuary,         do.  do.,     ....      ]9,921-63 

Bromfield  fund  for  the  purchase  of  books,         .         .         .         26,58113 

$  277,776-39 
The  value  in   1844,  when  it  was  first  proposed  to  remove 
from  Pearl  Street,  was 143,862-88 

Showing  an  increase  of $  133,913-51 

"  This  has  been  obtained  (excepting  the  munificent  dona- 
tion of  Mr.  Bromfield)  chiefly  by  the  exertions  of  those  who 
have  advocated  and  conducted  the  removal,  with  the  assist- 
ance of  gentlemen  in  various  departments  of  business,  who 
freely  lent  their  aid  in  procuring  subscriptions  for  new 
shares. 

"  This  amount  is  not  stated  in  money  as  proof  of  con- 
vertible value  ;  but  to  show  that  there  has  been  such  an 
accumulation  of  property  for  the  promotion  of  literature 
and  the  arts,  as  well  deserves  attentive  care  and  further  ex- 
ertion. 

"  While  the  Trustees  regret  that  any  embarrassment 
should  have  arisen  under  their  management,  they  have  the 
satisfaction  to  be  assured,  that  the  materials  and  work  in 
the  new  building  are  all  worth  the  money  expended  on 
them,  and  that  there  is  a  favorable  disposition  in  the  com- 
munity to  aid  in  completing  it. 

"  In  some  respects  the  institution  appears  to  be  particu- 
larly prosperous.  Since  the  removal  to  the  new  building, 
it  has  gained  new  attention  from  the  friends  of  literature 
and  the  donations  of  books  increase  in  number  and  value. 
The  annual  subscriptions  for  the  use  of  books  are  likewise 
increasing,  and  now  yield  an  income  equal  to  more  than  one 
third  of  tiie  annual  expenses.     It  is  probable,  also,  that  the 


216  HISTORY  OF 

exhibition  of  pictures  in  the  Spring  will  he  more  productive 
than  others  have  been  of  late  years. 

"  By  a  vote  of  the  Trustees. 

"  Thomas  G.  Cart,  President. 
"  Boston,  22  February,  1850." 

At  this  meeting  the  Proprietors  ratified  the  sale  by  the 
Trustees,  to  Mr.  Brooks,  of  the  estate  in  Pearl  Street  for 
$  45,000  ;  and,  at  the  suggestion  of  the  President,  they 
passed  a  vote  tendering  their  thanks  to  Nathaniel  I.  Bow- 
ditch  for  his  great  kindness  in  rendering  valuable  legal 
services  to  the  institution  for  several  years  gratuitously. 

The  President  then,  for  himself  and  in  behalf  of  the  Vice- 
President  and  Trustees,  tendered  a  resignation  of  their  offi- 
ces, and  left  the  chair ;  but,  in  accordance  with  the  gen- 
eral expressed  wish  of  the  meeting,  resumed  it ;  where- 
upon votes  were  passed,  unanimously,  that  the  resignation 
of  the  President  and  other  Trustees  he  7iot  accepted,  and 
that  they  be  requested  to  continue  their  valuable  services 
during  the  term  for  which  they  were  elected. 

Whereupon,  on  motion  and  after  debate,  the  Proprietors 
passed  the  following  vote :  —  "  That  a  committee  of  fifteen 
Proprietors  be  appointed  by  the  Trustees  to  aid  them  in 
raising  funds  to  pay  oif  the  floating  debt  of  the  corporation, 
to  finish  the  building,  and  to  create  a  fund  for  the  ordinary 
expenses  of  the  institution  ;  and  also  that  the  committee 
have  power  to  fill  any  vacancy  that  may  exist  in  their 
number,  and  that  they  report  at  a  meeting  of  the  Propri- 
etors to  be  held  on  the  28th  of  March." 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Trustees,  on  the  1st  of  March,  the 
committee  of  fifteen,  as  authorized  by  the  vote  of  the  Pro- 
prietors, were  duly  appointed. 

At  a  special  meeting  of  the  Proprietors,  holden,  accord- 
ing to  their  vote,  on  the  28th  of  March,  1850,  the  commit- 


THE   BOSTON   ATHEN.EUM.  217 

tee  of  fifteen  made,  bj  their  chairman,  William  H.  Gardi- 
ner, the  following 

"REPORT. 

"  The  Committee,  appointed  by  the  Trustees  of  the  Boston 
Athenaeum,  pursuant  to  a  vote  of  the  Proprietors  at  their  last 
meeting,  for  the  purpose  of  aiding  the  Trustees  in  raising  funds 
for  the  institution,  respectfully  report  as  follows  :  — 

"  They  experienced,  at  the  outset,  great  embarrassment  from 
the  apathy  and  disinclination  to  do  any  thing,  which  appeared 
to  pervade  the  Proprietors.  It  was  difficult  even  to  obtain  a 
sufficient  number  to  act  on  the  Committee.  Of  the  fifteen 
gentlemen  selected  by  the  Trustees,  there  appeared  at  the  first 
meeting  of  the  Committee  less  than  one  half.  Some  perempto- 
rily declined  serving.  Others  took  no  notice  of  the  invitation. 
Those  who  met  concluded  that  it  would  be  vain  for  so  small  a 
number  to  undertake  the  whole  of  a  service  which  seemed  so 
unpromising.  They  therefore  filled  the  vacancies  signified, 
and  took  the  liberty,  also,  of  extending  to  others  an  invitation  to 
join  them,  which,  if  accepted,  would  increase  the  number  to 
twenty-five. 

"  At  the  second  meeting,  called  upon  this  enlarged  circle  of 
invitation,  the  number  who  attended  was  no  larger  than  at  the 
first,  and  consisted  mainly  of  the  same  individuals.  Notwith- 
standing this  discouragement,  the  members  present  proceeded 
again  to  fill  such  vacancies  in  the  number  of  twenty-five  as 
were  positively  announced,  and  agreed  to  attempt,  by  personal 
appeals,  to  secure  the  attendance  of  a  larger  number  at  a  third 
meeting,  if  it  were  only  for  the  purpose  of  consultation. 

"  The  third  effort  was  so  far  successful,  that  about  a  dozen 
gentlemen  were  at  last  convened  to  consider  what  steps  should 
be  taken. 

"  The  result  of  the  conferences  at  this  and  the  previous 
meetings  (founded  upon  a  comparison  of  opinions  among  those 
present,  and  the  reports  from  individuals  of  their  conversations 
with  other  Proprietors)    was  the  conviction,   that   a  principal 

28 


218  HISTORY   OF 

obstacle  to  successful  action  by  the  Committee  lay  in  the  gen- 
eral dissatisfaction  of  persons  interested  in  this  institution,  at  its 
existing  financial  condition.  The  chief  grounds  of  dissatisfac- 
tion appeared  to  be,  not  so  much  that  the  cost  of  the  new 
building  had  exceeded  expectations  and  estimates,  as  that  a 
floating  debt  of  8  112,000  had  been  suffered  to  accumulate, 
and  to  be  maintained  almost  entirely  by  the  issuing  and  renew- 
al of  notes  at  short  time  ;  that,  notwithstanding  the  gratuitous 
accommodation  of  the  Treasurer's  individual  indorsement  of 
these  notes,  the  greater  part  of  them  had,  of  late,  been  nego- 
tiated, and,  in  the  present  state  of  the  money  market,  must 
necessarily  continue  to  be  negotiable,  only  at  high  rates  of  in- 
terest, while  the  money  was  obtained  upon  the  residue  of  these 
notes  only  through  the  friendly  aid  of  individuals,  on  their  own 
responsibility  or  private  resources  ;  that,  during  the  period  in 
which  this  state  of  things  had  grown  up,  the  corporation  was 
holding,  all  the  while,  a  note  of  S  100,000,  payable  upon  de- 
mand, and  adequately  secured,  as  it  was  thought,  by  a  valua- 
ble mortgage  ;  that,  although  interest  upon  that  debt  had  been 
received  from  time  to  time,  nothing  had  been  paid  on  account 
of  the  principal,  and  no  step  was  known  to  have  been  taken 
towards  its  eventual  collection  ;  and  that,  in  the  mean  time,  a 
debt  due  from  the  same  promisor  to  other  parties,  and  secured 
by  a  second  mortgage  on  the  same  estate,  had  been  reduced, 
as  was  understood,  $  45,000  within  the  last  three  years.  It  was 
true,  that,  by  arrangements  with  Mr.  Kimball  (the  promisor, 
who  was  liable  on  this  note  of  $100,000),  accommodation  pa- 
per of  his,  to  the  extent  of  §  40,000,  was  placed  at  the  disposal 
of  the  AtheUcEum,  and,  with  the  indorsement  of  this  corpora- 
tion, and  the  private  indorsement  of  its  Treasurer,  was  nego- 
tiated and  renewed  at  Mr.  Kimball's  expense,  thereby  relieving 
this  corporation  from  the  payment  of  extra  interest  on  its 
floating  debt  to  that  extent.  But  this  arrangement,  it  was  urged, 
had  no  tendency  towards  final  liquidation.  If  it  did  not  rather 
complicate  affairs  by  involving  this  corporation  in  the  respon- 
sibility of  an  indorser  of  accommodation  paper,  it,  at  any  rate. 


THE   BOSTON    ATHEN^UM.  219 

did  but  substitute  a  liability  in  that  form  for  a  liability  as  a  di- 
rect promisor,  for  moneys  borrowed  for  its  own  use.  It  got 
rid  of  extra  interest  upon  $  40,000 ;  but,  to  the  extent  of  about 
$  70,000,  the  floating  debt  was  still  maintained  at  the  sole  ex- 
pense of  this  corporation  (so  far  as  extra  interest  was  found 
unavoidable),  notwithstanding  that  a  sum  of  $  100,000,  well 
secured,  was  justly  due  to  it,  and,  in  form  at  least,  payable  on 
demand.  In  this  state  of  things  it  was  objected  by  those  who 
plainly  expressed  their  dissatisfaction,  that  the  Athenaeum  was 
in  effect  made  to  be  a  standing  borrower  of  $  100,000,  in  the 
most  disadvantageous  form,  and  at  any  rate  of  the  market,  for 
the  sake  of  lending  a  like  sum  to  Mr.  Kimball,  for  an  indefinite 
term,  at  six  per  cent.  Such  an  accommodation,  in  the  past 
and  present  state  of  the  money  market,  it  was  said,  could  not 
be  maintained,  except  at  great  cost  to  somebody  ;  and  that, 
although  the  greater  part  of  the  cost,  under  the  actual  arrange- 
ment, had  in  fact  been  borne  by  Mr.  Kimball  himself,  still 
that  a  loss,  by  extra  interest,  to  the  extent  of  about  $  3,500, 
had  also  fallen  upon  the  Athenaeum  ;  and  that,  in  the  language 
of  the  late  circular  of  the  Trustees,  '  the  deficiency  in  its  funds 
may  be  increased  alarmingly  by  the  same  cause.' 

"  The  expedient  which  had  been  suggested,  of  a  loan  by  sub- 
scription on  the  security  of  an  assignment  of  the  §  100,000  note 
and  mortgage,  if  such  a  loan  could  be  obtained  from  persons 
friendly  to  the  institution,  seemed  to  many  a  mere  temporary 
expedient,  postponing  the  evil  day  of  settlement.  That  it  would 
take  the  Athenaeum,  for  the  time  being,  out  of  the  money  mar- 
ket, and  probably  relieve  it  from  further  loss  in  the  payment 
of  extra  interest,  was  obvious.  But  it  was  said  with  truth,  that 
the  sums  so  borrowed  would  still  be  debts,  to  be  repaid  at  some 
future  day;  and  that,  when  payable,  the  debt  of  $  100,000,  due 
to  the  Athenaeum,  might  still  be  uncollected  and  unreduced, 
with  no  time  fixed  for  final  liquidation,  and  no  nearer  visible 
approach  to  actual  payment  than  exists  now.  The  proposal 
was  thus  looked  upon,  by  the  numerous  dissatisfied  party,  as  a 
proposal  for  the  borrowing  of  a  large  sum,  from  friends  of 


220  HISTORY   OF 

the  Boston  Athenseum,  at  more  or  less  of  inconvenience  to 
them,  for  the  purpose,  in  effect,  of  lending,  or  continuing  a  loan 
of  the  same  sum,  indefinitely,  to  a  different  institution,  called 
the  Boston  Museum,  which,  however  respectable  and  highly 
regarded  by  the  public,  the  friends  of  the  Athenneum  were  not, 
in  that  capacity,  particularly  bound  to  support. 

"  Under  these  representations,  your  Committee  did  not  think 
it  incumbent  on  them,  nor  useful  for  any  body,  to  investigate 
the  circumstances  which  had  led  to  so  embarrassing  a  position. 
It  was  easy  to  see  how  a  small  beginning  in  the  issue  of  tem- 
porary paper  might  well  have  been  made,  with  a  reasonable 
expectation  on  the  part  of  the  Treasurer,  and  of  the  Trustees, 
that  he  would  soon  find  an  opportunity  to  convert  the  large 
note  and  mortgage  into  more  available  assets,  and  that,  while 
the  unprecedented  continuance  of  pressure  in  the  money  mar- 
ket was  constantly  disappointing  this  expectation,  such  a  begin- 
ning would  naturally  and  necessarily  grow,  without  great  fault 
imputable  to  any  one,  until  the  whole  floating  debt  had  come  to 
rest  upon  short  paper,  and  to  be  no  longer  manageable  in  that 
form.  But,  without  stopping  to  inquire  into  the  causes  of  that 
which  was  past  and  irremediable,  your  Committee  thought,  that 
their  business  was  to  look  to  the  actual  state  of  things,  and  that 
their  first  inquiry  should  be,  whether  any  thing  practical  could 
be  done,  to  amend  them  so  as  to  remove  the  most  pressing 
cause  of  existing  dissatisfaction,  in  reference  to  the  future ; 
and  they  had  the  pleasure  to  learn  from  the  Treasurer,  agree- 
ably to  his  statement  at  the  last  meeting  of  the  Proprietors, 
that  no  impediment  existed,  in  consequence  of  any  arrange- 
ment made  by  him  with  Mr.  Kimball,  to  such  course  of  action 
by  this  corporation,  for  the  collection  of  the  $  100,000  debt,  as 
its  true  interests  might  seem  to  make  expedient.  And  it  was 
found  from  the  records  of  the  Trustees,  that  the  vote  of  Febru- 
ary 14,  1848,  (a  copy  whereof  is  subjoined,)  whereby  the 
Treasurer  was  authorized  to  take  and  indorse  the  notes  of  Mr. 
Kimball,  was  founded  upon  the  express  condition,  '  that  the 
present  security  of  the  Athenaeum  shall  in  no  way  be  dimin- 
ished by  such  transaction.' 


THE    BOSTON   ATHEN^UM.  221 

"  In  this  state  of  facts,  your  Committee  were  unwilling  to 
take  upon  themselves  the  responsibility  of  recommending  and 
urging  upon  others  the  proposed  loan,  at  least  as  a  solitary 
measure ;  and  they  were  equally  unwilling  to  recommend  it  as 
one  of  a  series  of  measures,  unless  they  could  see  their  way 
to  a  termination,  at  some  time,  of  a  system  of  mutual  loans 
and  accommodations  between  the  Boston  Museum  and  the  Bos- 
ton Athenaeum,  which  seemed  to  them  foreign  to  the  purposes 
of  the  latter  institution,  and  not  tending  to  advance  its  interests 
upon  a  solid  basis. 

"  The  only  effectual  and  final  relief,  which  can  be  brought 
to  the  Athenoeum,  it  was  thought,  must  be  by  positive  addition 
to  its  resources,  either  by  absolute  donation  or  by  a  sale  of  new 
shares;  and,  it  was  only  thought,  that,  so  long  as  it  could  be 
justly  complained  that  the  existing  assets  of  the  corporation 
were  not  applied  so  effectually  as  they  might  be  to  the  extin- 
guishment of  its  liabilities,  it  would  be  quite  useless,  in  the  ac- 
tual state  of  feeling  on  this  subject,  to  solicit  large  contributions 
in  any  form  from  the  present  Proprietors,  and  still  more  so 
from  persons  having  no  immediate  connection  with  the  institu- 
tion. 

"  The  result  of  their  deliberations,  therefore,  was  a  vote,  rec- 
ommending the  Trustees  to  take  such  measures  as  might  seem 
to  them  suitable  for  the  peaceable  and  quiet  foreclosure  of 
the  Kimball  mortgage  without  delay  ;  and  all  further  action  of 
the  Committee  was  postponed  until  some  future  meeting  should 
be  called  in  pursuance  of  some  notice  from  the  Trustees. 

"  A  meeting  was  afterwards  called,  upon  notice  of  a  vote  of 
the  Trustees  (of  which  a  copy  is  hereto  annexed),  directing 
possession  to  be  taken  of  the  mortgaged  premises,  and  ap- 
pointing agents  for  that  purpose.  At  the  meeting  called  upon 
this  notice,  your  Committee  were  pleased  to  learn,  that  a  pro- 
posal had  been  received  from  Mr.  Kimball,  to  give  peaceable 
and  quiet  possession,  and  to  accept  a  lease  of  the  premises,  as 
a  tenant  of  the  corporation,  for  the  term  of  three  years  from 
the  first  day  of  April  next,  at  a  rent  of  $  14,000  per  annum. 


222  HISTORY   OF 

payable  quarterly.     The  letter  of  Mr.  Kimball  containing  this 
proposal  is  herewith  submitted. 

"  The  effect  of  this  will  be,  after  keeping  down  interest,  to 
reduce  the  principal  of  the  debt,  by  quarterly  payments,  about 
$  25,000  in  the  course  of  the  three  years,  and  to  insure  the 
probable  realization  of  the  residue  at  the  expiration  of  that  term, 
as  the  only  means  to  prevent  a  final  foreclosure  of  the  mort- 
gage. It  may,  perhaps,  be  realized  at  an  earlier  day,  if  Mr. 
Kimball  should  be  enabled,  as  he  hopes,  to  make  some  arrange- 
ment elsewhere  for  a  loan  of  a  larger  sum. 

"  The  Committee  were  of  the  opinion,  that,  considering  the 
peculiar  nature  of  the  property  mortgaged,  this  was,  upon  the 
whole,  a  satisfactory  arrangement,  and  perhaps  better  than 
could  be  made  with  any  other  tenant. 

"  They  were  also  informed,  that  the  securities  received  in 
part  payment  for  the  estate  sold  in  Pearl  Street  had  been  ne- 
gotiated, and  that  the  full  value  of  that  property  was,  or  soon 
would  be,  realized  in  money,  and  made  applicable  to  the  ex- 
tinction of  debt. 

"  They  learned  from  the  Treasurer  that  he  was  provided 
with  funds  sufficient  to  meet  the  notes  that  would  fall  due  in 
March,  amounting  to  8  38,500,  and  that  he  would  probably 
receive,  from  the  proceeds  of  the  negotiation  last  mentioned, 
enough  to  pay  those  which  mature  in  April,  amounting  to 
$  14,000.  In  May,  only  $  7,000  fall  due  ;  in  June,  nothing  ; 
in  July,  i^  7,000.  In  August  and  the  early  part  of  September, 
the  remainder  of  the  short  paper  matures,  amounting  to 
$  43,000.  But  some  $  15,000  or  $  20,000  of  this  short  paper 
is  in  friendly  hands,  from  whom  further  indulgence  may  be 
expected,  if  needful.  Under  this  improved  aspect  of  affairs, 
the  Committee  thought  that  they  could  see  their  way  to 
proceed  with  advantage.  The  chief  cause  of  dissatisfaction 
seemed  to  be  removed  ;  and  the  financial  arrangements  to  be 
put  on  a  footing  which  would  meet  the  difficulty  so  far  as  means 
went.  The  Committee,  therefore,  thought  they  might  safely 
give  reasonable  assurance  to  persons  invited  to  aid,  that  the 


THE   BOSTON   ATHEXiEUM.  223 

raising  of  a  certain  sum  would  effect  the  threefold  object  of 
relieving  the  institution  from  all  embarrassment  of  debt,  com- 
pleting the  present  building  within  a  reasonable  time,  and  pro- 
viding a  fund  adequate  to  yield  a  small  income  for  current 
expenses.  The  minimum  needful  for  these  objects,  they  esti- 
mated, as  the  Trustees  do,  at  $  60,000 ;  and  the  best  mode  of 
raising  it  was,  in  their  judgment,  one  of  the  modes  indicated 
by  the  Trustees,  namely,  the  issuing  of  two  hundred  new 
shares,  at  the  par  of  $  300  a  share,  to  such  persons  as  n)ight  be 
willing  to  purchase  them  at  that  price.  A  subscription,  in  that 
form,  had  already  been  opened  by  the  Trustees,  and  some 
progress  made.  The  Committee  considered  it  the  best  form, 
because  they  were  of  opinion,  that  all  who  subscribed,  if  the 
object  were  accomplished,  would  have,  in  their  shares,  a  prop- 
erty intrinsically  worth,  as  property,  much  more  than  it  cost. 
If  the  subscriber  for  a  share  should  choose  to  part  with  it  soon, 
at  its  market  price,  it  was  thought  that  he  would  be,  in  effect,  a 
donor  to  the  Athenaeum  of  little  more  than  the  $  100  which  had 
been  proposed  as  a  voluntary  assessment;  and,  if  he  should  hold 
it  until  the  whole  object  of  the  subscription  were  accomplished, 
the  Committee  believed  that  he  would,  by  that  time,  be  able  to 
part  with  it  without  any  considerable  loss,  and  it  would  not  be 
surprising  if  the  shares  should  eventually  be  worth,  in  the 
market,  even  more  than  their  cost,  considering  the  personal  ad- 
vantages which  attach  to  them,  in  addition  to  the  intrinsic  value 
of  the  property. 

"  But  to  proceed  on  safe  and  satisfactory  ground,  they 
deemed  it  indispensable  that  this  entire  sum  should  be  raised. 
They  were  of  opinion  that  nobody  ought  to  be  asked  to  con- 
tribute any  thing,  unless  the  placing  of  the  institution  on  a  cred- 
itable foundation  could  be  really  effected,  with  reasonable  cer- 
tainty ;  and,  believing  the  sum  of  $  60,000  adequate  to  that 
end,  though  by  no  means  all  that  would  be  desirable,  they  con- 
cluded to  open  subscription  papers  for  new  shares,  upon  the 
terms  adopted  by  the  Trustees,  with  this  addition,  — '  on  condi- 
tion that  no  subscription  be  binding,  unless  two  hundred  shares 
in  the  whole  be  subscribed  for.' 


224  HISTORY   OF 

"  The  delays  occasioned  by  the  difficulty,  in  the  outset,  of 
getting  a  committee  willing  to  serve,  by  -the  suspension  of  ac- 
tion to  await  the  negotiations  with  Mr.  Kimball,  and  by  other 
preliminary  arrangements,  have  left  to  your  Committee  but  a 
very  few  days  preceding  the  meeting  to  act  in.  They  have 
the  satisfaction,  however,  to  report  successful  progress  thus  far. 

"  Many  of  the  individuals  most  likely  to  subscribe  have  not, 
as  yet,  been  invited  ;  there  has  not  even  been  opportunity  to 
see  all  the  Proprietors  ;  but,  of  the  200  shares  offered,  164  (in- 
cluding the  subscriptions  obtained  by  the  Trustees)  have  been 
already  taken.  The  number  obtained  by  the  Committee  has 
been  96  ;  which  has,  perhaps,  been  doing  as  well  as  could  have 
been  expected  from  so  small  a  committee  in  so  short  a  time. 

"  Your  Committee  are  encouraged  to  believe,  therefore,  that, 
with  the  hearty  support  and  cooperation  of  the  Proprietors,  ac- 
cording to  their  ability,  purchasers  will  be  found  for  the  whole 
number  in  good  season  to  meet  the  necessities  of  the  corpora- 
tion. But  your  Committee  desire  to  have  it  distinctly  under- 
stood, that,  in  their  opinion,  the  object  cannot  be  accomplished, 
or  at  least  not  without  great  procrastination,  in  which  there  is 
much  danger,  unless  the  Proprietors  themselves,  generally,  lend 
such  aid  as  they  reasonably  can.  It  is  difficult  to  answer  to 
strangers  the  objection,  plausible  at  least,  that  it  belongs  to  the 
Proprietors  of  the  property,  themselves,  to  free  it  from  its  em- 
barrassments ;  and,  unless  some  good  part  of  the  work  be  done 
by  them,  it  will  be  extremely  difficult,  if  not  impossible,  to  in- 
duce others  to  do  it.  When  this  shall  have  been  accomplished, 
persons  now  unconnected  with  the  institution  will  be  the  more 
readily  induced  to  furnish  means,  from  time  to  time,  for  those 
enlargements  of  the  Library  and  of  the  collections  in  the  Fine 
Arts,  and  of  the  facilities  for  their  use,  which  still  will  be  desira- 
ble, and  for  which  a  demand,  from  time  ^to  time,  ought  con- 
stantly to  grow,  commensurately  with  the  growth  of  a  cultivated 
people.  The  point  now  sought  to  be  reached  is  not  develope- 
ment  and  growth,  but  mere  preservation,  including  what  is 
necessary  to  make  that  which  has  been  undertaken  useful  and 


THE   BOSTON   ATHEN^UM.  225 

respectable  according  to  its  present  limited  scale  ;  and,  if 
enough  of  aid  to  furnish  means  for  the  liquidation  of  debt  is 
not  obtained  in  some  form,  within  a  short  time,  what  is  the 
alternative  ?  Your  Committee  confess  that  they  see  none, 
except  to  stop  all  current  expenses,  shut  up  the  building,  and 
suffer  as  much  of  the  property,  as  may  be  needful,  to  be  taken 
for  the  payment  of  creditors  and  the  relief  of  the  Treasurer 
from  his  personal  liabilities  for  the  debts  of  the  Athenseum. 
Whose  business  is  this,  if  not  that  of  the  owners  of  the  property  ? 

"  In  conclusion,  the  Committee  beg  leave  to  express  their 
unanimous  opinion,  that,  so  far  as  means  will  permit,  all  dis- 
counted notes  and  notes  on  short  time  ought,  if  possible,  to  be 
paid  without  renewal,  and  as  fast  as  they  fall  due.  To  facili- 
tate this  object,  they  respectfully  recommend,  if  there  be  any 
vote,  as  has  been  suggested  to  them,  by  which  the  Trustees 
were  formerly  restricted  from  withdrawing,  and  using  in  the 
payment  of  debts,  the  invested  fund  of  $  25,000,  that  the  same 
be  now  reconsidered  ;  and  that,  whensoever  the  subscription  for 
200  new  shares  shall  be  filled,  the  Trustees  be  thereupon  au- 
thorized, at  their  discretion,  to  sell  any  stocks,  or  other  proper- 
ty, composing  the  fund  of  $  25,000,  or  otherwise  to  convert 
them  into  available  assets,  in  season  to  meet  the  notes  of  the 
institution  as  they  mature.  They  recommend  this  only  on  con- 
dition that  the  subscription  be  filled,  because,  in  that  event,  the 
course  for  the  extinction  of  debt,  as  well  as  the  attainment  of 
the  other  object,  is  clear ;  and  otherwise,  unless  some  better 
scheme  of  relief  than  that  of  the  Committee  shall  be  devised 
and  made  effectual,  the  condition  of  the  corporation,  with  all 
its  property,  is  likely  to  be  one  of  bankruptcy. 
"  For  the  Committee, 

"  W.  H.  Gardiner,  Chairman. 

"  March  28,  1850." 

This  report  having  been  read  and  considered,  the  Propri- 
etors voted,  "  That,  whenever  the  subscription  for  two  hun- 
dred new  shares  shall  be  filled,  the  Trustees  be  thereupon 

29 


226  HISTORY   OF 

authorized,  at  their  discretion,  to  sell  any  stocks  or  other 
property  composing  the  invested  fund  "of  the  Athenoeum,  of 
twenty-five  thousand  dollars,  or  otherwise  to  convert  the 
same  into  available  assets,  in  season  to  meet  the  notes  of 
the  institution  as  they  mature. 

"  Voted,  That  the  thanks  of  the  Proprietors  be  given  to 
the  Committee  for  their  zealous  and  effective  labors,  and 
that  they  be  requested  to  continue  their  exertions  imtil 
they  shall  have  made  such  further  provision  for  the  wants  of 
the  institution  as  they  may  deem  necessary." 

An  adjournment  was  then  voted  for  four  weeks.  Ac- 
cordingly, on  the  25th  of  April,  another  meeting  of  the 
Proprietors  was  held,  at  which  William  H.  Gardiner,  as 
Chairman  of  the  Committee,  made  a  further  report,  as  fol- 
lows : 

"REPOllT. 

"  The  Committee,  appointed  to  aid  the  Trustees  in  raising 
funds  for  the  Boston  Athenaeum,  have  the  satisfaction  to  report, 
that  they  have  been  so  far  successful  as  to  have  obtained  sub- 
scriptions for  a  sufficient  number  of  new  shares  to  make  up  the 
minimum  proposed,  and  bind  the  whole  subscription. 

"The  number  of  shares  now  agreed  to  be  taken,  —  including 
subscriptions  formerly  obtained  by  the  Trustees,  from  persons 
who  have  expressly  assented  to  the  variation  of  terms  contained 
in  the  subscription  books  opened  by  the  Committee,  —  is  two 
hundred  and  eleven. 

"The  names  of  the  subscribers,  and  the  number  of  shares 
taken  by  them  respectively,  are  contained  in  a  list  herewith 
presented. 

"  The  Committee  are  of  opinion,  that  the  present  amount  of 
subscription  by  no  means  exhausts  the  liberality  of  the  public 
towards  this  institution,  but  that  many  other  persons  will  be 
found  ready  and  willing  to  take  shares  upon  being  satisfied  of 
the  fact,  that  the  financial  arrangements,  and  means  provided, 


THE   BOSTON   ATHEN^UM.  227 

are  such  as  will  effectually  relieve  the  institution  from  all  lia- 
bility to  creditors,  and  from  all  hazard  of  loss.  The  dissatis- 
faction, at  first  encountered,  has  been  in  a  great  degree  over- 
come ;  and  it  is  thought  that  an  assurance  may  now  be  safely 
given,  that  the  amount  already  subscribed,  when  collected, 
will,  with  the  other  available  assets  of  the  corporation,  be  fully 
adequate  to  answer  the  primary  object  of  immediate  relief,  and 
also  to  complete  the  present  building  according  to  its  original 
design,  and  to  leave  a  small  surplus,  as  a  fund  for  current  ex- 
penses. This  surplus,  however,  will,  in  the  opinion  of  your 
Committee,  be  very  insufficient  to  maintain  the  institution  as 
such  an  institution  ought  to  be  maintained.  They  propose, 
therefore,  if  the  Trustees  and  Proprietors  should  concur  in 
this  opinion,  that  the  subscription  books  should  remain  in  the 
hands  of  the  Committee,  open  to  further  subscription,  until  the 
next  annual  meeting  of  the  Proprietors,  by  which  time  it  is 
hoped  that  such  a  fund  may  have  been  accumulated,  as  will 
reasonably  satisfy  every  want  of  the  Athenseum  upon  its  present 
scale  of  usefulness. 

"  Your  Committee,  therefore,  not  proposing  at  this  time  to 
surrender  their  subscription  books  as  closed,  unless  the  Pro- 
prietors should  so  elect,  yet  considering  it  to  be  highly  im- 
portant that  the  Trustees  should  be  furnished  with  means  to 
meet  debts,  about  to  fall  due,  without  waiting  for  the  closing 
and  final  surrender  of  the  subscription  books,  took  into  consid- 
eration the  most  convenient  mode  of  accomplishing  that  object, 
while  the  subscription  should  be  still  going  on,  and  the  business 
remaining  unfinished  in  charge  of  the  Committee.  It  was 
found  that  an  arrangement  might  be  made  with  one  of  their 
own  number,  if  it  should  be  approved  by  the  Proprietors, 
whereby,  without  impediment  to  the  further  action  of  the  Com- 
mittee, subscriptions  already  made  might  not  only  be  collected 
with  great  convenience  to  most  of  the  subscribers,  and  no  ex- 
pense to  the  corporation,  but  might  also  be  placed  at  interest 
from  the  moment  they  were  received,  and  remain  so,  while 
lying  subject  to  the  call  of  the  Trustees,  upon  demand. 


228  HISTORY    OF 

"  This  arrangement  seemed  to  the  Committee  an  advan- 
tageous one  for  all  parties.  The  gentleman,  to  whom  they  re- 
fer as  willing  to  make  it,  is  Mr.  John  E.  Thayer,  whose  single 
exertions  in  this  good  cause  have  already  brought  in,  from  the 
extensive  circle  of  his  business  acquaintance,  a  very  large  pro- 
portion of  the  whole  number  of  subscriptions  obtained,  and 
promise  to  bring  in  a  considerable  further  addition.  Your 
Committee  doubt,  whether  any  other  gentleman,  of  equal  respon- 
sibility as  a  depositary,  would  be  willing  to  take  the  trouble 
and  inconvenience  of  collecting  and  holding  the  moneys  till 
called  for,  on  terms  so  favorable  to  the  pecuniary  interests  of 
the  AthenfEum  ;  or  whether  any  can  be  found,  whose  position 
and  office  arrangements  would  enable  him  to  transact  this  busi- 
ness of  collecting  in  driblets,  and  allowing  interest  upon  them, 
with  so  much  facility  to  himself,  and  to  most  of  the  subscribers. 

"  The  Committee,  therefore,  at  a  recent  meeting,  passed  the 
following  vote. 

"  '  Whereas  it  appears,  that  a  sufficient  number  of  new 
shares  in  the  Boston  Athenaeum  has  now  been  obtained  to  au- 
thorize collection,  and  that  Mr.  John  E.  Thayer,  who  has 
obtained  a  much  larger  number  of  subscribers  than  any  other 
member  of  this  Committee,  has  kindly  consented  to  act,  in 
behalf  of  the  Committee,  in  collecting  the  amounts  subscribed, 
without  charge  or  expense,  and  to  hold  all  sums  collected,  pay- 
able to  the  order  of  the  Trustees,  upon  demand,  allowing  in- 
terest thereon  at  the  rate  of  six  per  cent,  per  annum,  from 
the  time  of  their  reception,  so  long  as  they  may  remain  in  his 
hands  ;  — 

"  'Voted,  That  the  Trustees  be  requested  to  ratify  this  ar- 
rangement, and  to  cause  proper  certificates  of  shares  to  be 
filled  up  with  the  names  of  the  subscribers,  and  to  be  deposited 
with  Mr.  Thayer  for  delivery,  when  and  as  they  shall  be  fully 
paid  for.' 

"  This  vote  was  passed  under  the  idea  that  the  whole  subject 
of  raising  and  realizing  the  requisite  sum  had  been  placed  by  the 
Proprietors  in  the  hands  of  this  Committee,  acting  concurrently 


THE   BOSTON   ATHEN^UM.  229 

with  the  Trustees.  This  view  was  in  accordance  with  the 
tenor  of  the  resolutions  proposed  by  the  gentleman  on  whose 
motion  the  Committee  was  originally  appointed  ;  and  these  res- 
olutions were  understood  to  have  been  adopted  by  the  Proprietors 
in  substance,  though  not  in  form.  A  doubt  has  since  suggested 
itself,  whether  it  was  the  intention  of  the  Proprietors  to  commit 
any  thing  further  than  the  mere  soliciting  of  subscriptions  up 
to  the  time  of  this  adjourned  meeting,  and  whether,  that  pur- 
pose being  accomplished  to  the  extent  above  stated,  the  Com- 
mittee have  now  any  thing  more  to  do,  than  to  surrender  the 
books,  and  ask  for  a  discharge.  As  the  terms  of  the  vote, 
finally  adopted  in  the  appointment  of  the  Committee,  are  ex- 
tremely general,  and  its  members  have  no  desire  to  enlarge 
the  commission  intended,  or  to  '  magnify  their  office,'  they  re- 
spectfully submit  this  matter  to  the  consideration  of  the  Pro- 
prietors. 

"  The  Committee  further  report,  that  very  many  of  the  sub- 
scribers have  subscribed  upon  an  understanding,  not  expressed 
in  the  written  terms  of  the  subscription,  that  their  moneys  shall 
be  so  applied  as  to  insure  the  early  completion  of  this  building, 
in  a  style  conformable  to  its  general  design  and  the  execution 
of  the  work  thus  far.  From  this  consideration,  and  with  the 
view,  also,  to  allow  of  the  investment  of  funds,  from  time  to 
time,  by  order  of  the  Trustees,  whenever  it  shall  be  deemed 
advisable  to  invest  them  in  any  other  form  than  is  above  pro- 
posed, the  following  vole  was  passed  by  the  Committee,  which 
they  also  submit  to  the  consideration  of  the  Proprietors. 

"  '  Voted,  That  the  Trustees  be  further  requested  to  set  aside, 
out  of  the  moneys  collected,  as  a  specific  appropriation  for  the 
completion  of  the  building  now  occupied  by  the  Boston  Athe- 
naeum, such  sum  as  they  shall  find  to  be  needful  therefor,  not 
exceeding  the  sum  of  $  30,000 ;  and  that,  until  the  building  is 
completed,  the  same  shall  be  drawn  for  no  other  purpose,  ex- 
cept such  safe  investment  as  the  Trustees  may  order ;  and  that 
the  residue  of  the  moneys  collected,  together  with  all  other 
available  funds  of  the  corporation  not  held  for  specific  trusts,  be 


230  HISTORY   OF 

appropriated  by  the  Trustees  exclusively  to  the  payment  of  its 
existing  debts,  as  fast  as  they  fall  due.'     . 

"  Finally,  the  Committee  recommend,  that,  if  there  be  any 
question  respecting  a  limit  to  the  number  of  new  shares,  author- 
ized to  be  issued  by  the  former  votes  of  the  Proprietors,  all 
doubt  upon  this  subject  be  removed  by  an  express  vote,  impos- 
ing no  other  limit  than  that  which  may  arise  from  a  full  satis- 
faction, in  the  opinion  of  the  Trustees,  of  the  wants  of  the  insti- 
tution, in  respect  to  an  adequate  fund  to  place  it  on  the  most 

creditable  foundation. 

"  For  the  Committee, 

»  W.  H.  Gardiner. 
"  April  25, 1850." 

After  this  report  had  been  heard  by  the  Proprietors,  it 
was  unanimously 

"  Voted,  That  the  report  be  accepted,  and  the  votes 
therein  proposed  for  the  acceptance  of  the  Proprietors  be 
adopted. 

"  Also,  Voted,  That  the  Trustees  be  authorized  to  issue 
as  many  new  shares  as  the  Committee  shall  obtain  subscrip- 
tions for  during  the  year,  and  as  the  Trustees  may  deem 
it  for  the  interest  of  the  institution  to  issue. 

"  Also,  Voted,  That  the  thanks  of  the  Proprietors  be 
given  to  the  Committee  for  their  very  successful  labors."* 

*  The  following  are  the  names  of  the  acting  Committee  :  — 

William  H.  Gardiner,  Chairman. 

J.  Ingersoll  Bowditch,  William  Rollins, 

Gardner  Brewer,  G.  Howland  Shaw, 

William  S.  BuUard,  John  E.  Thayer, 

Edmund  Dwight,  William  Thomas, 

Franklin  Haven,  Charles  Torrey, 

Peter  T.  Homer,  George  B.  Upton, 

Charles  Hamilton  Parker,  Charles  E.  Ware. 


THE   BOSTON   ATHEN^UM.  231 


CHAPTER  IX. 

MEASURES     ADOPTED     BY    THE    TRUSTEES    FOR     CARRYING    INTO     EFFECT 
THE    VOTE    OF    THE    PROPRIETORS    RELATIVE    TO    NEW   SUBSCRIPTIONS, 

AND    FOR    COMPLETING    THE     ATHEN^UM    BUILDING PLANS,    BY    MR. 

BILLINGS,  OF  A  CHANGE  IN  THE  VESTIBULE  PROPOSED THE  TRUS- 
TEES OF  THE  STATE  LIBRARY  PERMITTED  TO  DEPOSIT  BOOKS  IN 
THE  ATHEN^UM  PLANS,  SPECIFICATIONS,  ESTIMATES,  AND  PRO- 
POSALS FOR  THE  COMPLETION  OF  THE  BUILDING  SUBMITTED RE- 
PORT   THEREON MR.  BILLINGS'S  PLANS  AMENDED,  LAID  BEFORE    THE 

TRUSTEES,  AND  ACCEPTED  —  FINAL    REPORT    THEREON ACCEPTANCE 

OF  THE  PROPOSALS  OF  THEOPHILUS  BURR THE  PRESIDENT  AU- 
THORIZED TO  SIGN  A  CONTRACT  WITH  HIM  FOR  THE  COMPLETION 
OF  THE  BUILDING,  AND  THE  STANDING  COMMITTEE  CHARGED  WITH 
THE  DIRECTION  OF  SUCH  REMOVAL  OF  THE  PROPERTY  IN  IT,  AS 
MIGHT  BE  NECESSARY  DURING  THE  PROGRESS  OF  THE  WORK CON- 
CLUDING   REMARKS. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Trustees  on  the  30th  of  April,  1850, 
it  was  voted,  "  that  proper  certificates  of  shares  be  filled  up 
"with  the  names  of  the  new  subscribers,  and  deposited  with 
Mr.  John  E.  Thayer,  for  dehvery  when  they  shall  be  fully 
paid  for ; "  and  he  was  authorized  to  call  in  the  instalments 
in  conformity  with  the  terms  of  the  original  subscription. 
Mr.  Thayer  was  also  requested  to  set  aside,  out  of  the 
moneys  collected,  a  sum  not  more  than  thirty  thousand 
dollars,  nor  less  than  twenty-five  thousand,  as  a  specific  ap- 
propriation for  the  completion  of  the  building ;  and,  until 
,this  event,  it  was  to  be  drawn  for  no  other  purpose,  except 
for  such  safe  investment  as  the  Trustees  might  order.  A 
vote  was  then  passed,  appointing  a  committee  of  the  board 
to  dispose  of  the  stocks  and  other  property  of  the  Athenae- 
um, composing  its  invested  fund  of  twenty-five  thousand 
dollars,  in  conformity  with  the  vote  of  the  Proprietors  ;  and 


232  HISTORY   OF 

the  President,  Mr.  Rogers,  and  Mr.  Andrews  were  appoint- 
ed a  committee  to  obtain  plans,  specifications,  estimates,  and 
proposals  for  the  completion  of  the  building,  and  to  report 
the  result  to  the  Trustees. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Trustees  on  the  10th  of  June,  thanks 
were  voted  to  Franklin  Dexter  for  his  kindness  in  arrang- 
ing the  Allston  Gallery,  and  for  other  valuable  assistance 
rendered  to  the  Committee  on  the  Fine  Arts ;  and  a  similar 
acknowledgment  was  made  to  Charles  Amory,  Chairman  of 
that  Committee,  for  his  valuable  services  in  collecting  and 
arranging  pictures  for  the  annual  exhibition. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Trustees  on  the  8th  of  July,  the 
President,  in  behalf  of  the  committee  appointed  to  obtain 
plans,  specifications,  estimates,  and  proposals  for  the  com- 
pletion of  the  building,  submitted  designs  from  Mr.  Billings, 
for  a  total  change  of  the  vestibule  by  removing  the  stair- 
case to  the  west  room  (intended  heretofore  for  a  reading- 
room)  and  to  the  rooms  over  it,  with  estimates ;  but,  as  the 
committee  were  not  yet  able  to  make  a  final  report,  the 
subject  was  postponed  for  the  future  decision  of  the  board. 
At  a  meeting  of  the  Trustees,  on  the  12th  of  August,  the 
same  committee  having  reported  that  no  estimate  on  the 
plans  of  Mr.  Billings  had  yet  been  obtained  so  low  as  the 
limit  fixed  by  the  Proprietors  for  the  completion  of  the 
building,  at  their  suggestion  the  subject  was  again  post- 
poned for  decision. 

At  this  meetmg  the  Secretary  read  a  letter,  addressed  to 
Mr.  Folsom,  the  Librarian  of  the  Athenaeum,  by  Joel  Giles, 
one  of  the  Trustees  of  the  State  Library ;  expressing,  in 
their  behalf,  their  desire  "  to  transfer  a  selection  of  the 
books  to  the  Athenaeum,  if  it  can  be  done,  to  make  room  for 
other  works  more  in  keeping  with  the  special  character  of 
the  State  Library;"  and  making  the  inquiry,  "  whether  the 
Athenaeum  would  receive,  from  time  to  time,  books  from  the 


THE   BOSTON   ATHEN^UM.  233 

State  Library,  to  remain  at  the  risk  of  the  State,  and  to  be 
used  according  to  the  rules  of  the  Athenaeum,  in  common 
by  those  who  would  have  a  right  to  use  them  in  the  State 
Library."  Whereupon  a  vote  was  passed,  "  that  the  Sec- 
retary be  directed  to  reply  respectfully,  on  the  part  of  the 
Trustees,  to  the  inquiry  of  the  Trustees  of  the  State  Library, 
that  the  Athenaeum  will  receive  books  from  the  State  Li- 
brary on  the  terms  stated  in  Mr.  Giles's  letter,  which  shall 
form  a  part  of  the  record  of  this  meeting." 

A  letter  was  received  from  Charles  B.  Wells,  stating 
that,  in  compliance  with  the  wishes  of  the  late  Miss  Caroline 
Doane,  he  presented  to  the  Athenaeum  a  crayon  drawing,  by 
Cheney,  of  Miss  D.  L.  Dix  ;  and  also  a  bronze  medal,  given 
by  Napoleon  Bonaparte  to  General  Grouchy,  and  by  him  to 
the  late  Isaiah  Doane. 

A  letter  was  also  received  from  E.  S.  Ritchie,  asking  the 
Athenaeum  to  accept  an  accompanying  cast  of  a  bust  of 
General  Cass,  by  T.  D.  Jones,  of  Cincinnati. 

Votes  were  accordingly  passed,  making  appropriate  ac- 
knowledgments to  Mr.  Wells  and  Mr.  Ritchie. 

At  a  special  meeting  of  the  Trustees  on  the  28th  of  Sep- 
tember, the  committee  on  the  subject  of  the  completion  of 
the  building  submitted  to  the  board  the  following  report, 
accompanied  by  six  distinct  plans. 

"REPORT. 

"  The  Committee  appointed  by  the  Trustees,  at  their  meet- 
ing on  the  30th  of  April  last,  to  obtain  plans,  specifications,  es- 
timates, and  proposals  for  the  completion  of  the  building,  and 
to  report  the  same  at  a  future  meeting  of  the  Trustees,  now 
report  : 

"  That  since  their  appointment  they  have  held  numerous 
meetings,  and  had  frequent  consultations  with  architects  on 
the  subject  committed  to  them,  and  have  given  it  unremitting 

90 


234  HISTORY   OF 

attention.  They  were  in  hopes  of  obtaining  a  design  for  some 
alteration  of  the  building  that  would  remove  all  objections  to 
the  present  entrance  without  exceeding  the  cost  of  $  25,000, 
for  which  amount  they  had  supposed,  from  the  estimates  previ- 
ously made,  that  the  whole  might  be  finished.  Although  the 
Proprietors  had  appropriated  the  sum  of  8  30,000  for  the  object, 
the  Committee  were  anxious  that  the  whole  of  this  sum  should 
not  [he  used,  if  it  could  be  avoided  ;  and  at  any  rate  that  it 
should  not  be  exceeded.  Their  caution  on  this  point  has 
caused  an  unexpected  delay  ;  but  they  now  submit,  as  the  full 
result  of  their  efforts,  the  following  : 

"  1st.  A  sketch  for  an  alteration  of  the  vestibule,  prepared 
by  Mr.  Hammatt  Billings,  and  recommended  by  him  as  the 
best  that  could  be  adopted,  because  it  makes  the  least  change 
of  the  original  design,  while  it  gives  the  necessary  additional 
light.  It  leaves  the  floor  over  the  entrance  undisturbed,  sup- 
porting it  by  an  arch  instead  of  the  dome.  It  was  supposed  by 
Mr.  Dexter,  acting  as  our  architect,  that  the  cost  of  finishing  in 
this  mode  would  be  about  $  30,000. 

"  2d.  Another  sketch,  by  Mr.  Billings,  made  at  the  request 
of  the  Committee,  to  show  the  effect  of  an  opening  through 
the  floor  from  the  bottom  to  the  top  of  the  building,  but  not 
recommended  by  him.  This  is  accompanied  by  a  plan  of  some 
additional  alterations  proposed  by  Mr.  Dexter,  and  an  estimate 
prepared  by  him,  showing  that  the  cost  of  finishing  with  this 
design  would  be  $  29,424,  commissions  not  included.  Mr.  Dex- 
ter was  of  opinion,  that  the  cost  of  finishing  by  the  first  sketch 
would  exceed  this  sum. 

"  3d.  A  sketch,  with  an  estimate,  by  Mr.  George  Snell,  for 
an  alteration  of  the  vestibule  by  an  opening  through  the  floor 
and  a  double  staircase  throughout ;  but  not  giving  more  light 
to  the  stairs  by  the  increased  expense,  than  can  be  obtained 
with  the  staircase  as  it  is,  and  the  removal  of  a  small  part  of  the 
wall  only. 

"  4th.  A  design  by  Mr.  Billings,  and  a  complete  set  of  elab- 
orate  drawings    of  plans  and  sections,  with  an    estimate ;   by 


THE   BOSTON   ATHEN^UM.  235 

which  it  appears  that  the  whole  staircase  may  be  removed  from 
the  vestibule  to  the  adjoining  western  apartment,  with  little 
sacrifice  of  room  on  the  whole,  and  at  a  cost  of  about  $  30,500, 
commissions  not  included. 

"  The  foregoing  designs  have  all  been  laid  before  the  Trus- 
tees at  successive  meetings,  when  this  Committee  have,  from 
time  to  time,  reported  progress.     They  now  submit  further  : 

"  5th.  A  design  for  giving  more  light  and  a  more  ornate 
finish  to  the  staircase,  by  Mr.  Paul  Schultz,  with  drawings.  In 
mode  and  effect  this  is  a  near  approach  to  the  first  sketch  of 
Mr.  Billings. 

"  6th.  A  design  by  our  architect,  Mr.  Cabot,  proposing  an 
alteration  of  the  vestibule,  by  removing  the  dome  and  most  of 
the  wall,  and  substituting  a  groined  arch,  which  would  give 
more  light  than  either  of  the  designs  already  mentioned  as 
adapted  mainly  to  the  same  object ;  and  altering  the  upper 
staircase  so  as  to  make  it  single  throughout,  and  avoid  any  in- 
terference with  the  front  window.  An  offer  has  been  made  to 
the  Committee  by  a  respectable  mechanic  to  complete  the  whole 
building  in  conformity  with  this  design,  and  in  keeping  with  the 
parts  already  finished,  for  a  sum  not  exceeding  6  25,000. 

"  The  designs  are  all  submitted  for  the  examination  of  the 
Trustees  ;  and  the  Committee  recommend,  that  one  of  them  be 
selected,  and  offered  among  trustworthy  mechanics  for  contract, 
that  the  lowest  terms  may  be  obtained. 

"  All  which  is  respectfully  submitted. 

"  For  the  Committee, 

"  Thomas  G.  Cary,  Chairman. 

"  Boston^  September  28th,  1850." 

The  meeting  not  being  a  full  one,  it  was  adjourned  till 
the  5th  of  October,  when  the  six  plans  for  finishing  the 
building,  and  the  final  report  of  the  committee,  were  exam- 
ined and  discussed,  and  a  further  consideration  of  the  sub- 
ject was  postponed  to  the  next  regular  quarterly  meeting, 
which  took  place  on  the  14th  of  the  same  month.     The  ex- 


236  HISTORY   OF 

amination  and  discussion  being  then  renewed,  on  motion  a 
vote  was  passed,  that  the  plan  of  Mi*.  Hammatt  Billings 
should  be  adopted.  It  was  further  voted,  that  the  Presi- 
dent and  Messrs.  Andrews,  Rogers,  and  Hillard  be  a  com- 
mittee to  consult  with  Mr.  Billings  concerning  alterations 
in  his  plan,  and  to  submit  the  same,  as  amended,  to  mechan- 
ics for  estimates  on  the  specifications. 

On  the  29th  of  November,  at  a  special  meeting  of  the 
Trustees,  the  committee  appointed  to  submit  the  amended 
plan  for  the  completion  of  the  building  to  mechanics,  for  es- 
timates on  the  specifications,  made  the  following 

"REPORT. 

"  The  Committee  appointed  by  the  Trustees  at  their  quar- 
terly meeting,  October  14,  1850,  consisting  of  the  President, 
Mr.  Rogers,  Mr.  Hillard,  and  Mr.  Andrews,  to  take  the  neces- 
sary measures  for  making  a  contract  to  complete  the  building  in 
Beacon  Street  according  to  the  principal  design  of  Mr.  Billings 
for  the  entrance  and  stairs,  met  at  the  office  of  Mr.  Hillard, 
in  pursuance  of  notice,  on  the  15th  of  October,  at  11  o'clock 
A.  M.  Present  Messrs.  Hillard,  Andrews,  and  Gary.  The 
President,  acting  as  Chairman,  reported  that  he  had  conferred 
with  Mr.  Cabot,  who  had  expressed  his  readiness  to  act,  still,  as 
the  architect  of  the  building,  and  superintend  the  completion  of 
it,  adopting  the  changes  recommended  by  Mr.  Billings,  whose 
design  he  approved  and  considered  an  improvement. 

"  It  was  thereupon  voted.  That  the  Chairman  be  authorized 
to  instruct  Mr.  Cabot  to  proceed  with  all  convenient  despatch, 
and  obtain  estimates  from  several  other  mechanics  (not  exceed- 
ing four),  besides  Mr.  Dupee  and  Mr.  Burr,  founded  on  such 
curtailments  of  ornament,  to  be  made  on  consultation  with  Mr. 
Billings,  as  may  be  required  to  bring  the  cost  within  the  sum  of 
$  30,000. 

"  The  Chairman  was  also  desired  to  inform  Mr.  Rogers  of 
this  proceeding,  that  he  might  make  any  such  suggestion  of 


THE   BOSTON   ATHEN^UM.  237 

chanses   in  ornament,  or  other  matter  of  detail,  as  he   should 
recommend. 

"  It  being  understood  that  Mr.  Cabot  executes  this  design  and 
completes  the  building  without  any  further  compensation  than 
the  balance  of  $  475,  which  remains  due  to  him  under  the 
compromise  made  with  the  architects,  it  was  suggested  by  Mr. 
Hillard,  that  it  would  be  proper  hereafter,  on  the  satisfactory 
completion  of  the  work,  to  make  him  some  further  compen- 
sation. 

"  The  meeting  was  then  dissolved. 

"  A  note  was  addressed  to  Mr.  Rogers,  in  conformity  with 
the  above. 

"  Nov.  25th,  1850.  A  meeting  was  held  at  the  office  of  the 
Chairman,  who  reported  that  Mr.  Burr  had  offered  to  complete 
the  building  on  Mr.  Billings's  plan  of  alterations,  for  $  29,000, 
provided  the  offer  be  accepted  now,  and  that  no  other  estimates 
should  be  called  for. 

"  Present  the  Chairman,  Mr.  Rogers,  and  Mr.  Andrews  ;  Mr. 
Hillard  being  absent,  but  having  previously  agreed  to  accept 
Mr.  Burr's  proposal. 

"  Mr.  Cabot  was  present  with  detailed  specifications  of  the 
plans,  and  with  supplementary  drawings,  &c.,  and  explained  to 
the  Committee  in  what  particulars  he  had  varied  from  Mr.  Bil- 
lings's design. 

"  Whereupon  it  was  voted  unanimously,  that  the  Committee 
will  recommend  to  the  Trustees  to  conclude  a  contract  with 
Mr.  Burr  for  the  whole  work  on  the  terms  proposed,  and  that 
a  meeting  of  the  Trustees  be  called  for  Friday  next,  at  5  o'clock, 
P.  M. 

"  Voted,  that  the  Chairman  be  authorized  to  approve  Mr. 
Billings's  bill  for  $  600,  and  cause  it  to  be  paid. 

"  Adjourned. 

"  All  which  is  now  submitted  to  the  Trustees  by  the  Commit- 
tee as  their  report  of  proceedings. 

"  Thomas  G.  Cauy,  Chairman. 

"  November  29th,  1850." 


238  HISTORY   OF 

This  report,  having  been  read  and  considered,  was  ac- 
cepted by  the  Trustees ;  the  President  was  authorized  to 
execute  a  contract  with  Theophilus  Burr  for  completing 
the  building  in  conformity  Avith  the  specifications,  on  the 
terms  proposed  ;  and  the  Standing  Committee  were  charged 
with  the  direction  of  such  removal  of  the  property  in  the 
building,  as  might  be  necessary  for  its  safety  during  the 
progress  of  the  Avork.  The  Treasurer,  also,  was  author- 
ized to  pay  bills  or  orders  for  the  cost  of  completing  the 
building  according  to  the  contract,  when  certified  by  the 
architect,  and  approved  by  the  President. 


"With  these  votes  and  proceedings  the  records  of  the  in- 
stitution, at  this  period,  close.  By  them  it  appears  that 
the  Athenaeum,  through  the  zealous  and  faithful  exertions 
of  its  Trustees  and  Proprietors,  aided  by  the  enlightened 
and  liberal  spirit  of  the  citizens  of  Boston  and  its  vicinity, 
has  been  raised  to  a  position,  in  point  of  property  and  ac- 
commodation, adequate  to  its  chief  immediate  wants,  and  to 
every  reasonable  expectation  of  its  friends  and  the  public. 
The  difficulties  which  retarded  its  progress  have  been  sur- 
mounted. Funds  sufficient  to  discharge  all  its  debts  and 
liabilities,  and  to  finish  the  building  on  the  plan  on  which 
it  Avas  originally  commenced,  have  been  obtained.  The  in- 
stitution is,  therefore,  at  this  moment,  in  a  highly  honorable 
and  satisfactory  state.  All  its  debts  and  liabilities  are  paid, 
or  provided  for,  by  funds  independent  of  those  embraced 
by  the  ensuing  estimate.  It  has  now  a  clear,  unembar- 
rassed property  of  the  following  articles  and  value.  It 
possesses  land,  buildings,  books,  statuary,  and  pictures,  at 
their  actual  cost,  (Avithout  including  the  great  number  and 
value  of  the  articles  AAhich,  during  the  past  half-century, 
have  been  derived  from  donations,)  of  a  value  exceeding 


THE   BOSTON   ATHENiEUM.  239 

two  hundred  and  fifty-three  thousand  dollars;  it  also  pos- 
sesses a  productive  property  (including  what  remains  of  the 
subscriptions  made  the  present  year,  after  the  payment  of 
the  debts  and  liabilities  above  mentioned)  exceeding  in 
value  forty  five  thousand  dollars  ;  to  which  must  be  added 
the  noble  fund  for  the  increase  of  the  Library,  the  gift  of 
the  late  John  Bromfield  in  his  lifetime,  now  amounting  to 
upwards  of  twenty-seven  thousand  dollars  ;  and  also  the  net 
proceeds  of  the  exhibitions  of  pictures  during  the  present 
year,  amounting  to  tiventy-seven  hundred  dollars ;  —  to- 
gether constituting  an  aggregate  of  more  than  three  hun- 
dred and  twenty-seven  thousand  dollars* 

It  is  impossible  to  witness  this  great  result,  without  feel- 
ings of  gratitude,  and  expressions  of  congratulation,  that 
our  lot  is  cast  in  a  community  able  by  its  capital,  and 
willing  by  the  spirit  of  individual  citizens,  to  uphold  such 
a  literary  institution  amidst  the  vicissitudes  and  occasional 
embarrassments  to  which,  through  the  changes  of  the  times, 
it  has  been  subjected  ;  and  to  raise  it,  at  length,  to  a  height 
of  resources  and  power,  on  which  it  is  apparently  placed 
beyond  the  reach  of  future  accident ;  —  thus,  by  the  ex- 
perience of  the  past,  justifying  a  confident  hope,  or  rather 
giving  a  firm  assurance,  that  ever  hereafter  its  stores  will 
be  increased,  and  its  means  enlarged,  in  proportion  to  the 
literary  claims  and  wants  of  an  intellectual  and  prosperous 
community. 

Nor  can  the  writer  of  this  History  refrain,  on  this  occa- 
sion, from  expressing,  in  behalf  of  his  departed  friends  and 
contemporaries,  the  delight  they  would  have  felt,  if,  looking 
through  the  long  vista  of  nearly  fifty  years,  they  could 

*  A  reduction  of  about  $  4,000  may  be  made  from  the  above  for  the  settlement 
of  current  expenses  at  the  close  of  this  year.  The  building,  also,  in  Beacon 
Street,  is  not  yet  finished  ;  but  a  contract  has  now  been  made  to  complete  the 
work  in  the  best  manner  for  5  29,C0O,  which  will  also  be  a  deduction  from  these 
funds. 


240  HISTORY    OF 

have  seen  a  result  thus  exceeding  their  fondest  and  bright- 
est hterary  and  patriotic  visions  ;  —  if  the  httle  band  of  en- 
thusiastic scholars,  when  casting  together,  from  their  scanty 
means,  a  few  volumes  to  form  a  collection  of  "  periodical 
publications,"  could  have  beheld  in  the  distance  these  small 
seeds  expanded  into  a  hbrary  of  more  than  fifty  thousand  vol- 
umes, embracing,  in  the  language  of  one  of  them,*  "  abun- 
dance of  magazines,  pamphlets,  and  new  books,  and  of  works 
difficult  to  be  procured  in  America ;  "  —  if  Shaw,  the  guar- 
dian of  its  infancy,  when  uttering  his  "  delight "  at  the  at- 
tainment, "  surpassing  the  expectations  of  the  most  san- 
guine," of  "  o)ie  hundred  and  sixty  subscribers  at  ten  dollars 
a  year  "  and  of  a  donation  of  "  one  hundred  and  fifty  dol- 
lars in  cash,''^  f  could  have  realized,  that  within  fifty  years 
an  institution  would  arise  from  these  feeble  beginnings, 
the  result  of  private  liberality,  possessing  an  accumulated 
property  exceeding  three  hundred  thousand  dollars  ;  —  if 
Buckminster,  when  warning  his  associates  "  not  to  build  a 
new  edifice  unless  they  could  raise  money  enough  to  erect  an 
elegant,  classical  building,  entirely  of  stone,  or  with  a  stone 
facade,"  J  could  have  beheld,  in  his  mind's  eye,  the  efiect 
of  his  o^vn  and  his  associates'  labors,  in  a  classical  edifice,  § 

*  See  Biographical  iXotices,  page  52.  t  lb.,  pp.  26,  27.  t  lb.,  p.  52. 

^  This  building,  erected  on  Beacon  Street,  is  114  feet  in  length,  of  irregular 
breadth,  and  GO  feet  in  height.  The  elevation  is  in  the  later  Italian  style  of 
architecture,  and  resembles  in  the  general  arrangement  some  of  the  works  of 
Palladio,  although  some  of  the  details  belong  to  a  still  later  style.  The  mate- 
rial is  Patterson  freestone,  tlie  texture  of  which  is  consideriibly  harder  than 
that  of  the  freestone  in  general  use,  and  the  color  is  a  light  gray. 

The  basement  story  is  of  solid  masonry,  supporting  the  first  floor  on  groined 
arches  of  brick.  The  entrance  to  the  first  story  is  by  a  doorway  14  feet  high 
and  10  feet  broad,  opening  on  a  vestibule  from  which  access  is  had  to  the  stair- 
case and  to  all  the  rooms  in  the  building. 

The  first  story  contains  a  hall  80  feet  in  length,  designed  for  a  sculpture  gal- 
"    ,  lery  ;  a  reading-room  ;  and  a  room  for  the  use  of  committees,  &.c. 

;fVi/d-<  The  second  story  is  appropriated  to  the  Library^extends  the  entire   length 

of  the  building,  and  is  surrounded  by  an  iron  gauery,  accessible  by  iron  spiral 


THE   BOSTON   ATHEN^UM.  241 

one  hundred  and  fourteen  feet  in  length,  sixty  feet  in 
height,  of  a  breadth  that  aflFords  a  space  capable  of  splendidly 
accommodating  a  hbrarj,  reading-room,  picture  gallery,  and 
sculpture  gallery,  and  "  with  a  stone  facade  "  in  the  style  of 
Palladio,  —  the  hearts  of  each  and  all  of  them  Avould  have 
been  filled  with  a  joy  and  exultation,  which  those  alone  can 
understand  and  reahze,  who,  like  them,  combine,  as  an  ac- 
tive principle  of  their  lives,  a  love  of  literature  with  a  love 
of  country. 

staircases.  The  main  hall  is  divided  by  an  archway,  one  compartment  display- 
ing the  books  in  cases  lining  the  walls,  the  other  in  alcoves  between  the  pil- 
lars. It  is  highly  finished  in  Italian  style,  with  a  decorated  ceiling.  For  ad- 
vantages of  light,  air,  retirement,  and  an  open  southern  aspect,  it  can  hardly  be 
surpassed.  It  contains  over  40,000  volumes,  about  four  fifths  of  the  present 
collection.  In  front  of  this  hall  are  two  rooms,  to  be  likewise  finished  with 
iron  galleries  and  spiral  staircases.  They  are  capable  of  containing  30,000 
volumes.  The  building  when  completed,  as  it  will  be  in  a  few  months,  will 
give  room  for  eighty  thousand  volumes,  besides  the  parts  occupied  by  pictures 
and  statuary ;  and,  if  these  should  be  removed  to  any  other  place,  it  might  con- 
tain at  least  one  hundred  andjifty  thousand  volumes. 

The  third  story  is  designed  for  pictures,  and  is  divided  into  four  apartments. 
The  side  walls  are  but  13  feet  high,  so  that  no  picture  can  be  placed  too  high 
to  be  seen  distinctly.  The  light  is  admitted  into  each  apartment  by  a  skylight, 
from  which  it  is  favorably  reflected  upon  the  walls. 


CHRONOLOGICAL  LIST 

OF   THE 

PROPRIETORS    OP    THE    BOSTON    ATHENiEUM, 

PROM 

ITS   FOUNDATION   TO   THE   END   OF   THE   TEAR   1850, 
ACCORDING  TO  THE  CERTIFICATE  BOOK. 


N.  B.  When  several  names  are  attached  to  the  number  of  a  share,  the  last  is  that  of  the 
present  holder.  The  certificates  of  the  shares  taken  by  the  original  subscribers  in  1S07 
were  not  issued  till  1815.  Such  names  of  those  subscribers  as  do  not  appear  below  may 
be  found  in  the  list  on  pages  43-45.  By  the  terms  of  the  first  subscription,  no  individ- 
ual could  hold  more  than  three  shares. 


No.  of 

Share 

1 


10 


11 


12 

13 
14 
15 


■n        •  .  Date  of 

Proprietors.  Certificate. 

Harrison  Gray  Otis  1815 

Charles  Thacher  1849 

John  Lowell  1815 
Rebecca  Amory  Lowell  1842 

John  Lowell  1815 

John  Amory  Lowell  1817 

Josiah  Quincy  1815 

Josiah  Quincy  1815 

Josiah  Quincy,  Jr.  1823 

Josiah  Quincy  1815 

George  Burroughs  1815 

Samuel  Eliot  1815 

William  Havard  Eliot  1821 

Nathaniel  Greene  1832 

Nathaniel  Curtis,  Jr.  1841 

Francis  Alger  1842 

James  Perkins  1815 

Samuel  Cabot  1831 

Francis  Skinner  1839 

John  C.  Brown  1815 

John  Coffin  Jones  1820 

Anna  P.  Jones  1839 

Thomas  Perkins  1815 

William  P.  Perkins  1829 

Daniel  Sargent  1815 

John  H.  Cabot  1820 

Amos  Binney  1833 

Samuel  W.  Swett  1840 

Russell  Sturgis  1846 

Joseph  Head  1815 

Moody  Kent  1837 

Thomas  H.  Perkins  1815 

William  Pickman  1815 

Uriah  Cotting  1815 


No.  of  TJ-„.,-:«. ,  Date  of 

Share.  Proprietors.  Certificate. 

Ebenezer  Francis  1815 

16  Benjamin  Bussey  1815 

George  Livermore         1843 

17  Thomas  Coffin  Amory      1815 

Thomas  Coffin  Amory  1818 

Thomas  A.  Dexter  1820 

Jeffi-ey  Richardson  1822 

Thomas  W.  Storrow  1815 

Jacob  Tidd  1817 

George  Minot  Dexter  1828 

Samuel  G.  Williams  1830 

Enoch  Martin  1837 

Arthur  Scholfield  1841 

Peter  O.  Thacher  1815 


18 


19 

20 

21 
22 
23 
24 


25 
26 


Charles  Pelham  Curtis  1828 

Samuel  Torrey  1815 

Daniel  P.  Parker  1821 

Samuel  Dexter  1815 

Charles  Lowell  1815 

John  Hancock  1815 

Cornelius  Coolidge  1815 

Samuel  G.  Williams  1821 

James  Allen  1822 

Joseph  M.  Marsh  1824 

James  Allen,  Jr.  1826 

Eben  Billings  1828 

Robert  B.  Allen  1830 

Charles  Allen  1834 

George  W.  Warren  1836 

Edward  Sprague  Rand  1839 

Francis  Johonnot  Oliver  1815 

Oliver  Putnam  1815 

Daniel  Parkman  1827 

Samuel  A.  Bemis  1827 


244 


CHRONOLOGICAL  LIST   OF   PROPRIETORS. 


Amos  A.  Lawrence  1842 

27  Nathan  Appleton  1815 

28  Stephen  Higginson,  Jr.  1815 

Irancis  J.  Higginson  1828 

Howard  Sargent  1831 

Mrs.  C.  K.  Sargent  1834 

Nathaniel  1.  Bowditch  1834 

Stephen  Higginson,  Jr.  1815 

George  Sullivan  1816 

Henry  Lee  1817 

Francis  Lee  1821 

Henry  Lee  1830 

Joiin  Richards  1815 

Francis  Richards  1826 

Stephen  Codman  1815 

Henry  Codman  1818 

Samuel  May  1815 

James  Lloyd  1815 

John  Borland  1832 

John  Gore  1815 

Tho.  Perkins  (Guard.)  1819 

John  C.  Gore  1827 

Allan  Melville  1815 

Charles  R.  Codman  1820 

Joseph  Coolidge,  Jr.  1815 

Tasker  H.  Swett  1841 

Elizabeth  B.  Swett  1842 

Eben  Preble  1815 

Ralph  R.  Wormeley  1826 

James  Blake  1828 

John  Harrison  Blake  1849 

John  Prince,  Jr.  1815 

William  H.  Gardiner  1831 

Samuel  Parkman  1815 

Thomas  Davis  1832 

William  Davis  Bliss  1850 

Kirk  Boott  1815 

John  Wright  Boott  1817 

William  Boott  1831 

John  Wright  Boott  1834 

Kirk  Boott  1850 

Edward  Tuckerman,  Jr.  1815 
Edward  Tuckerman,  Jr. 1839 

Thomas  L.  Winthrop  1815 

George  S.  Hillard  1843 

Timothy  Williams  1815 

Joshua  H.  Wolcott  1842 

William  Smith  Shaw  1815 

Joseph  Barlow  Felt  1826 

William  Sawyer  1815 

Judah  Hays  1815 

Boston  Athenapum  1822 

Thomas  Beale  Wales  1823 

John  Parker  1815 

John  Parker,  Jr.  1825 

Charles  Beck  1845 

48    Samuel  D.  Harris  1815 


29 


30 


31 


34 


37 


40 


44 


47 


49 


50 
51 

52 


53 
54 

55 


56 


57 


58 
59 


60 
61 


62 
63 
64 
65 


66 


67 


Samuel  Salisbury  1826 

Alexander  Parris  1826 

Stephen  Codman  1847 

Gardiner  Greene  1815 
John  S.  Copley  Greene  1835 

Samuel  Austin  1840 

Edward  Blake,  Jr.  1815 

Nathaniel  Goddard  1815 

Martin  Gay  1843 

Samuel  Salisbury  1815 

Josiah  Salisbury  1819 

Edward  E.  Salisbury  1833 

Joseph  Tilden  1815 

Peter  Chardon  Brooks  1815 

Peter  Chardon  Brooks  1849 

Thomas  K.  Jones  1815 

Samuel  James  Bridge  1832 

Bradford  Lincoln,  Jr.  1833 

Robert  Treat  Paine  1837 

Nathaniel  R.  Sturgis  1815 

Russell  Sturgis  1818 

Samuel  Henshaw  1845 

William  Ingalls  1815 

Caleb  Stimson  1824 
Caleb  Morton  Stimson  1841 

Israel  Munson  1815 

Le  Baron  Russell  1844 

William  R.  Gray  1815 

William  Gray  1831 

James  Freeman  1833 

Charles  Torrey  1836 

James  H.  Hicks  1838 

Josiah  Parsons  Cooke  1842 

Ebenezer  T.  Andrews  1815 

William  T.  Andrews  1830 

Thomas  Cushing  1815 

Benjamin  M.  Watson  1818 

John  P.  Rice  1824 
Benj.  W.Crowninshield  1832 

Isaiah  Thomas  1815 

Frederic  Tudor  1831 

Theodore  Lyman  1815 

Theodore  Lyman  1820 

Caleb  Loring  1815 
Charles  Greely  Loring  1836 

John  Pickens  1815 

Henry  Lienow  1826 

Hartley  H.  Wright  1838 

Benjamin  Pickman,  Jr.  1815 

Clarke  G.  Pickman  1821 

Peter  P.  F.  Degrand  1839 

Charles  Torrey  1844 

E.  Rock  wood  Hoar  1850 

Francis  Cabot  Lowell  1815 

John  Lowell,  Jr.  1821 

Jacob  Abbott  1838 

Francis  Brown  Hayes  1844 


CHRONOLOGICAL   LIST    OF   PROPRIETORS. 


245 


68 


69 
70 


71 


72 


73 


74 


76 

77 


78 


79 


80 
81 

82 


83 


84 
85 
86 


87 


Lemuel  Stanwood  1845 

Nathaniel  Amory  1815 
Joseph  L.  Cunningham  1822 

Henry  B.  Rogers  1822 

Benjamin  Weld  1815 

Charles  Barnard  1823 

John  Warren  1815 

Edward  Warren  1833 

Joshua  Davis  1815 

Robert  Farley  1843 

Stephen  H.  Phillips  1847 

Benjamin  Rich  1815 

John  Bellows  1822 

Benjamin  Rich.  Jr.  1824 

Samuel  H.  Rich  1827 

Francis  Brown  Hayes  1846 

Micajah  Sawyer  1815 

Thomas  Sawyer  1824 

Joseph  Hall  1815 

Charles  Cunningham  1848 

Seth  Knowles  1815 

William  Taylor  1831 

Thomas  B.  Curtis  1837 

John  Albree  1850 

William  Parsons  1850 

William  Prescott  1815 

William  H.  Prescott  1827 

Thomas  Hill,  Jr.  1815 

Francis  Boott  1817 

Mark  Healey  1848 

George  Gardner  Lee  1815 

David  Sears  1816 

Jonathan  Davis  1815 

Edward  G.  Davis  1829 

Pickering  Dodge  1835 

J.  Ingersoll  Bowditch  1836 

John  Heard,  Jr.  1815 

Sanmel  Salisbury,  Jr.  1815 

Nancy  Salisbury  1850 

Stephen  Higginson  1815 

Henry  Higginson  1834 

Thomas  B.  Pope  1839 

John  Stevens  1840 

Samuel  G.  Perkins  1815 

Thomas  H.  Perkins  1833 

Stephen  H.  Perkins  1833 

John  T.  Apthorp  1815 

George  B.  Upton  1849 

Timothy  Bigelow  1815 
John  Prescott  Bigelow  1817 

Adam  Babcock  1815 

William  E.  Payne  1831 

Edward  W.  Payne  1831 

Edward  G.  Loring  1832 

Richard  C.  Cabot  1835 

Francis  Davis  1845 

Andrew  Craigie  1815 


89 
90 


91 

92 


93 
94 


95 


96 

97 
98 
99 


100 


101 


102 


103 


104 


105 


106 


107 


108 
109 


Daniel  Hastings  1816 

John  D.  Winslow  1820 

Daniel  Hastings  1824 

Charles  Pelham  1839 

Charles  Davis  1815 

Josiah  Marshall  1823 

Thomas  Motley  1831 

Richard  C.  Derby  1815 

Isaac  P.  Davis  1815 
William  S.  Tuckerman  1847 

Benjamin  Joy  1814 

Jonathan  Mason  1815 
Robert  Bennett  Forbes  1832 

George  Bancroft  1838 
Nathaniel  H.  Emmons  1850 

Joseph  W.  Revere  1815 

Abraham  Touro  1815 

Charles  Taylor  1823 

Russell  Sturgis  1815 
Mass.  General  Hospital  1817 

John  Belknap  1822 

Robert  H.  Gardiner  1815 

Thomas  Bartlett  1815 

Jonathan  Phillips  1815 

Stephen  Jones,  Jr.  1815 

John  Richards,  Jr.  1834 

Francis  Richards  1850 

Samuel  Welles  1815 

Peter  Parker  1816 

James  Lamb  1815 

Thomas  Lamb  1822 

Isaac  Parker  1815 

Daniel  Parkman  1828 

Cyrus  Alger  1828 

William  Smith  Shaw  1815 

George  Searle  1826 

Benjamin  M.  Watson  1829 

Samuel  J.  Gardner  1833 

Jesse  P.  Richardson  1834 

Isaac  Parker  1836 

RicJiard  C.  Cabot  1849 

Henry  Gardner  Rice  1815 

Caleb  Adams  1819 

Benjamin  Adams  1829 

Ralph  L  Reed  1815 

Jacob  Gates  1816 

Boston  Athenseum  1821 

H.  A.  S.  Dearborn  1822 

G.  L.  Chandler,  Jr.  1832 

Giles  Henry  Lodge  1835 

Joseph  Hurd,  Jr.  1815 

William  Hurd  1842 

William  V.  Hutchings  1815 

James  T.  Austin  1820 

Nehemiah  Parsons  1815 
Thomas  Wigglesworth  1818 

Nathaniel  G.  Snelling  1815 


246 


CimONOLOGICAL  LIST   OF  PROPRIETORS. 


George  C.  Shattuck  1815 

110  James  Bowdoin  1815 

James  Bowdoin  1832 

William  C.  Tyler  1835 

Edward  Blake  1835 

111  George  Higginson  1815 

James  P.  Higginson  1819 

112  Henry  Andrews  1815 

Thomas  G.  Chase  1819 

Henry  Gardner  Rice  1820 

Samuel  B.  Rice  1826 

Henry  Gardner  Rice  1827 

113  William  VVhitwell  1815 

John  Bumstead  1817 

114  John  Clarke  Howard  1815 

John  Clarke  Howard  1841 

115  Eben  Larkin  1815 

Henry  Rice  1819 
VVhitwell,  Bond,  &  Co.  1829 

Henry  Rice  1835 
John  McLean  Bethune  1841 

116  William  Oliver  1815 

Boston  Athenaeum  1821 

R.  D.  Shepherd  1822 

Gorham  Brooks  1844 

117  Benjamin  Whitwell  1815 

Henry  Cabot  1818 

George  Bond  1820 

Benjamin  F.  White  1837 

Samuel  Whitwell  1838 

118  Samuel  G.  Williams  1815 

Charles  Pelham  Curtis  1819 

Kathaniel  Bowditch  1824 

Henry  1.  Bowditch  1839 

119  Richard  Sullivan  1815 

120  Francis  J.  Oliver  1815 

John  S.  Capt  1817 

121  John  Codman  1815 

William  Appleton  1820 

122  Thomas  Williams  1815 

Francis  H.  Williams  1834 

Frederick  Howes  1837 

Susan  Burley  1841 

123  Samuel  J.  Prescott  1815 

John  Brown  1818 

Boston  AthenjEum  1821 

Joseph  Coolidge  1822 

Joseph  Coolidge,  Jr.  1826 

Elijah  Loring  1834 

124  William  Phillips  1815 

Gustavus  Tuckerman  1827 

Henry  H.  Tuckerman  1837 

Henry  Gardner  1837  i 

125  William  Phillips  1815 

Samuel  H.Walley  1822 

John  Welles  1827  I 

Arnold  Welles  1835  | 


126  William  Phillips  1815 

Edward  Phillips  1822 

127  John- T.  Kirkland  1818 

James  Freeman,  Jr.  1828 
Henry  H.  Tuckerman  1831 

John  llomans  1844 

128  William  Cochran  1820 

Caleb  Andrews  1822 

129  Samuel  Appleton  1822 

130  George  Searle  1822 

Washington  P.  Gragg   1825 

Martin  Brimmer  1830 

Martin  Brimmer  1849 

131  Lewis  Tappan  1822 

Charles  Bovven  1827 

John  Hancock,  Jr.  1827 

132  Joseph  P.  Bradlee  1822 

Franklin  Haven  1843 

133  Thomas  Wigglesworth  1822 

Edward  Wigglesworth  1822 

134  Josiah  Bradlee  1822 

Frederic  W.  Bradlee  1849 

135  Daniel  Hammond  1822 

136  Asa  Whitney  1822 

Benjamin  D.  Whitney  1831 

Cornelius  C.  Felton  1838 
Benjamin  D.  Whitney  1848 

137  Pliny  Cutler  1822 

Charles  Brown  1841 

Joseph  W.  Homer  1841 

138  John  Hooper  1822 

Samuel  Hooper  1824 

139  Richard  D.  Tucker  1822 

William  S.  Bullard  1840 
Franklin  H.  Story,  Jr.  1847 

140  Francis  Lee  1822 

Rufus  Wyman  1826 

Jeffries  Wyman  1843 

141  Thomas  Lee  1822 

142  George  Ticknor  1822 

143  John  Hubbard  1822 

Caleb  Reed  1845 

144  John  S.  Ellery  1822 

Samuel  W.  Waldron  1836 

Lemuel  Shattuck  1836 

Sarah  Baxter  1838 

Lemuel  Shattuck  1845 

Jonathan  Amory  1822 

Jonathan  Amory,  Jr.  1830 

Henry  Grew  1831 

Zelotes  Hosmer  1836 

Henry  Roby  1837 

Jesse  Putnam  1822 

Charles  Jackson  1822 

Samuel  P.  Gardner  1822 

Peter  Thacher  Homer  1844 

Patrick  Tracy  Jackson  1822 


145 


146 
147 
148 

149 


CHRONOLOGICAL   LIST   OF   PROPRIETORS. 


247 


150 
151 

152 
153 
154 
155 
156 
157 
158 
159 
160 

161 

162 
163 
164 
165 

166 
167 
168 
169 

170 


171 
172 


173 
174 


175 
176 
177 


178 


179 
180 


Charles  Bradbury 

Horace  Gray 

William  S.  Bullard 

Francis  Calley  Gray 

John  Chipman  Gray 

Thomas  Wren  Ward 

William  Sturgis 

John  Bryant 

Henderson  Inches 

Isaac  Winslow 

Gorham  Brooks 

George  Hallet 
Caleb  Gushing 

Charles  Thorndike 

Chas.  G.  Loring,  Adm'r. 

Augustus  Thorndike 

Benjamin  Guild 

Edward  Brooks 

Ebenezer  Appleton 
Alden  B.  Weston 

Ebenezer  Rollins 

Abbott  Lawrence 

Marshall  Binney  Spring 

Amos  Lawrence 

William  R.  Lawrence 

Israel  Thorndike 
Edward  G.  Loring 
George  W.  Warren 

William  Pratt 

William  P.Winchester 

James  Hall 

James  T.  Austin 
Susanna  Williams 

John  Tappan 

David  W.  Child 
Arte  mas  Ward 
Henry  Artemas  Ward 

Robert  Gould  Shaw 

Thomas  Cordis 

John  Bellows 
George  A.  Otis 
John  Brazer  Davis 
James  M.  Robbins 

Abijah  Fisk 

Hercules  M.  Hayes 
John  Williams 
Hercules  M.  Hayes 
Simon  Eliot  Greene 
Samuel  G.  Goodrich 
John  H. Jenks 
Samuel  G.  Goodrich 
John  Mackay 
William  D.  Sohier 

Samuel  Dorr 
Charles  H.  Dorr 

Samuel  Whitwell 
Benjamin  F.  White 


1822 

Charles  R.  Bond 

1822 

Thomas  W.  Parsons,  Jr 

1849 

181 

Frederic  William  Paine 

1822 

Gardiner  L.  Chandler 

1822, 

David  B.  Tower 

1822 

Rufus  Choate 

1822 

182 

Francis  Stanton 

1822 

Joshua  Blake 

1822 

183 

Jonathan  Chapman 

1822 

George  Chapman 

1822 

Jonathan  Chapman 

1822 

O.  Goodwin,  (Trustee) 

1828 

184 

Lot  Wheelwright 

1822 

Wm.  W.  Wheelwright 

1846 

Chas.  H.  Wheelwright 

1822 

Edward  Blanchard,  Jr. 

1822 

185 

John  D.  Williams 

1822 

G.  Foster  Williams 

1822 

186 

Charles  Torrey 

1832 

Frederick  A.  Cobb 

1822 

Amos  A.  Lawrence 

1822 

Francis  Boott 

1822 

Benjamin  R.  Curtis 

1822 

187 

Samuel  Torrey 

1836 

188 

John  Odin 

1822 

Reuben  Richards,  Jr. 

1844 

189 

David  Ellis 

1844 

Samuel  B.  Barrel! 

1822 

Alvan  Lamson 

1845 

190 

Samuel  Calley  Gray 

1822 

191 

Gorham  Parsons 

1841 

Theophilus  Parsons 

1847 

192 

James  Jackson 

1822 

193 

Edward  Cruft 

1822 

194 

Peter  R.  Dalton 

1835 

Samuel  T.  Armstrong 

1848 

195 

Edward  Everett 

1822 

196 

William  Lawrence 

1822 

Josiah  D.  Whitney 

1822 

197 

Elbridge  Gerry 

1826 

Daniel  Parkman 

1827 

John  Parkman 

1835 

Samuel  Gridley  Howe 

1822 

108 

Benjamin  Wiggin 

1824 

Moses  Whitney 

1829 

Warren  J.  Whitney 

1830 

Samuel  Downer 

1830 

199 

Samuel  Atkins  Eliot 

1831 

200 

David  Henshaw 

1832 

201 

Samuel  Swett 

1833 

202 

John  Dorr 

1840 

203 

Benjamin  Russell 

1845 

204 

Daniel  Webster 

1822 

205 

Seth  Bass 

1845 

George  N.  Faxon 

1822 

206 

Jacob  Bigelow 

1837 

207 

William  Ingalls 

1839 
.1840 
1822 
1835 
1837 
1839 
1822 
1840 
1822 
1831 
1834 
1849 
1822 
1827 
1835 
1838 
1822 
1849 
1822 
1829 
1838 
1841 
1843 
1822 
1822 
1833 
1822 
1839 
1843 
1822 
1822 
1822 
1822 
1822 
1822 
1826 
1822 
1822 
1850 
1822 
1828 
1828 
1834 
1822 
1827 
1836 
1841 
1822 
1822 
1822 
1822 
1822 
1822 
1822 
1849 
1826 
1826 


248 


CHRONOLOGICAL   LIST   OF  PROPRIETOKS. 


208     Samuel  Atwood  Shurtleff 
201)     John  Ware 

210  Zabdiel  Boylston  Adams 

211  Enoch  Hale,  Jr. 

212  Edward  Reynolds,  Jr. 

Thomas  W.  Parsons 
Alfred  Greenough 

213  Woodbridge  Strong 

214  Josiali  Foster  Flagg 

215  Joshua  H.  Hayward 

Thomas  Greaves  Gary 

216  John  G.  Coffin 

Ambrose  S.  Courtis 
Thomas  Courtis 
James  Diman  Green 

217  George  Parkraan 

218  George  Hayward 

219  Walter  Channing,  Jr. 

220  John  Gorham 

Samuel  Kettell 

221  Horace  Bean 

Richard  Fletcher 

222  John  Dixwell 

223  George  W.  Otis,  Jr. 

224  George  Bates 

225  David  Osgood 

226  Anson  Hooker,  Jr. 

Thomas  J.  Whittemore 
Thomas  Sherwin 
Thomas  C.  Amory,  Jr. 

227  Chandler  Robbins,  Jr. 

Samuel  R.  Putnam 

228  Thomas  Foster 

John  Foster 
James  Hayward 

229  Charles  Wild 

230  Amos  Farnsworth 

Charles  K.  Dillaway 
Robert  Henry  Eddy 

231  John  Collins  VVarren 

232  William  J.  Walker 

John  P.  Rice 
Samuel  Lawrence 
Uriah  A.  Boyden 

233  Asa  Bullard 

Simon  Eliot  Greene 
Ammi  B.  Young 

234  Solomon  D.  Townsend 

235  John  Randall 

Elizabeth  Randall 

236  John  Clark 

Richard  Cobb 
Matthias  Plant  Sawyer 

237  Benjamin  Ropes  Nichols 

238  Samuel  Hubbard 

239  William  E.  Channing 

William  F.  Channing 


1826 

240 

1826 

1826 

241 

1826 

1826 

^42 

1836 

243 

1838 

244 

1826 

1826 

18--^6 

245 

1832 

1826 

246 

1829 

247 

1644 

1844 

1826 

1826 

248 

1826 

249 

1826 

1839 

1826 

250 

1827 

1826 

251 

1826 

1826 

252 

1826 

1826 

1830 

253 

1834 

254 

1846 

1826 

255 

1835 

1626 

256 

1831 

1841 

257 

1826 

1826 

1835 

258 

1836 

1826 

1826 

259 

1835 

260 

1835 

1841 

261 

1826 

262 

1827 

263 

1840 

1826 

1826 

264 

1846 

265 

1826 

266 

1629 

267 

1836 

1826 

268 

1826 

269 

1826 

270 

1849 

William  Parsons  1826 

William  Parsons  1838 

William  Sullivan  1826 

Francis  Bassett  1839 

Benjamin  Willis  1826 

Henry  Sigourney  1826 

Alexander  Bliss  1826 

William  Grigg  1828 

Nathaniel  Faxon  1836 

William  Ropes  1826 

George  W.  Lyman  1830 

Jonathan  Porter  1826 

Abiel  Chandler  1826 

George  M.  Dexter  1833 

William  Gibbs  1834 

William  Richardson  1847 

Edmund  Dwight  1826 

Robert  Waterston  1826 

Helen  Ruthven  1829 

Robert  Waterston  1830 

Charles  J.  Cazenove  1826 

John  Eliot  Thayer  1834 

John  Davis  1826 

Andrew  Alexander  1848 

Josiah  Loring  1826 

Henry  R.  Cleveland  1842 

Sarah  P.  Cleveland  1844 

Benjamin  Loring  1827 

John  Randall  1827 

James  Andrews  1827 

John  Quincy  Adams  1829 

Charles  Francis  Adams  1829 

Thomas  H.  Cabot  1830 

Samuel  Cabot,  Jr.  1836 

John  Guardenier  1831 

George  Howe  1839 

Charles  Mixter  1843 

Israel  Thorndike  1831 

William  J.  Loring  1831 

John  E.  Lodge  1841 

George  Mi  not  Dexter  1842 

John  Guardenier  1842 

Joseph  Bell  1843 

Luther  Stearns  Gushing  1842 

Oliver  Wendell  Holmes  1843 

John  Guardenier  1845 

John  Redman  1845 

John  Bromfield  1846 

Josiah  Bradlee,  Jr.  1844 

Thomas  Beale  Wales  1844 

Robert  Hooper  1844 

John  Parker  1844 

Robert  Wm.  Hooper  1845 

William  E.  Coale  1844 

George  C.  Shattuck,  Jr.  1844 

Thomas  Wren  Ward  1844 

John  Gallison  Ward  1844 


CHRONOLOGICAL   LIST   OF   PKOPRIETORS. 


249 


271 

272 

273 
274 

275 

276 
277 

278 
279 
280 
281 

282 
283 
284 
285 
286 

287 

288 

289 

290 

291 

292 

293 
294 

295 

296 
297 

298 

299 
300 
301 

302 

303 

304 
305 
306 
307 
308 

309 
310 


Thomas  Wren  Ward  1814 

George  Cabot  Ward  1844 

Samuel  Fales  1844 

Charles  Henry  Parker  1850 

James  S.  Amory  1844 

Charles  Barnard  1844 

Jolin  Borland  1844 

James  Lloyd  1844 

John  Nelson  Borland  1849 

Edward  Blancliard  1844 
George  Theodore  Lyman  1844 

William  Amory  1844 

Francis  Cabot  Lowell  1844 

George  G.  Lowell  1844 

George  Batev  Blake  1844 

J.  Wiley  Ed'mands  1844 

Phineas  Upham  1844 

Sidney  Bartlett  1«44 

Samuel  Leonard  Abbot  1844 

Joseph  Balch  1844 

Anna  L.  Balch  IcJoO 

John  Chipman  Gray  1844 

Horace  Gray,  Jr.  1848 

John  Chipman  Gray  1844 

Francis  Aug.  Brooks  1849 

John  Chipman  Gray  1844 

Nathaniel  Hooper  1849 

Abbott  Lawrence  1844 

James  Lawrence  1846 

Abbott  Lawrence  1844 


Timothy  B.  Lawrence  1846 

Abbott  Lawrence  1844 

Abbott  Lawrence,  Jr.  1846 

Amos  Lawrence  1844 

Amos  Lawrence  1844 

Jerome  V.  C.  Smith  1849 

Joshua  H.  Wolcott  1844 

Charles  Sumner  1845 
Charles  Hamilton  Parker  1844 

Ozias  Goodwin  1844 

Pratt,  William  1844 

Sarah  P.  Pratt  18-15 

Benjamin  Adams  1850 

John  Bryant,  Jr.  1844 

Jacob  Sleeper  1844 

Daniel  P.  Parker  1844 

Henry  Take  Parker  1845 

Henry  B.  Stone  1844 

Isaac  Orr  Barnes  1850 

George  W.  Coffin  1844 

Caleb  Curtis  1844 

Henry  Sidney  Waldo  1844 

Thomas  P.  Cusliing  1844 

Samuel  R.  Putnam  1844 

Robert  B.  Storer  18.30 

Charles  Amory  1844 

William  Lawrence  1844 


311  William  Lawrence  1844 

Benjamin  D.  Greene  1850 

312  William  W.  Stone  1844 

313  Thomas  Wetmore  1844 

314  Gardner  Colby  1844 

315  Jonathan  French  1844 

316  James  Ingersoll  1844 

317  Robert  C.  Hooper  1844 

318  John  W.  Trull  1844 

John  Hunt  Welch  1849 

319  John  D.  Williams  1844 

John  D.  W.  Williams  1849 

320  John  D.  Williams  1844 

David  W.  Williams  1849 

321  John  D.  Williams  1844 

David  W.  Williams  1849 

Edwin  Lamson  1850 

322  Stephen  Ball,  Jr.  1844 

323  John  P.  Thorndike  1844 

George  Q,.  Thorndike  J850 

324  Benj.  VV.  Crowninshield  1844 

Edw.A.  Crowninshield  1849 

325  Daniel  Sargent  Curtis  1844 

326  Addison  Gilmore  1844 

327  Francis  Henry  Appleton  1844 

328  Samuel  Cabot  1844 

329  Charles  F.  Hovey  1844 

330  Samuel  Batchelder  1844 

331  William  Rollins  1844 

332  Charles  B.  Shaw  1844 

333  William  Blake  1844 

334  John  James  Di.xwell  1844 

335  George  Basil  Dixwell  1844 

336  Joshua  Sears  1844 

337  Joseph  Whitney  1844 

338  Samuel  Frothingham  1844 

339  David  S.  Greenough  1844 

340  Aaron  Hobart  1844 

William  S.Bullard  1847 

Charles  Eliot  Norton  1849 

341  George  Robert  Russell  1844 

342  George  Callender  1844 

343  William  F.  Whitney  1844 

344  Henry  Hall  1844 

345  William  Perkins  1844 

346  Willard  Sayles  1844 

Maria  F.  Sayles  1849 

347  Isaac  Livermore  1844 

348  John  A.  Blanchard  1844 

349  Francis  Fisher  1844 

350  Charles  Storer  Storrow  1844 

351  Hugh  R.  Kendall  1844 

352  James  Parker  1844 

353  Sumner  Hudson  1844 

Lvman  Perry  1848 

James  Tuttle  1850 

354  John  S.  Wright  1844 


250 


CnRONOLOQICAL   LIST   OF   PROPRIETORS. 


355  George  Gardner 

356  Cliarles  K.  Miller 

357  Gardner  Brewer 
35d     Benj.  G.  VVainwright 

Farnham  Pluiiitiier 
359     Charles  Francis  Adams 
361)     John  M.  Forbes 

361  George  Francis  Parkman 

362  Timoihy  C.  Leeds 

363  Sampson  Reed 

364  Andrew  Eliot  Belknap 

365  John  Lowell  Gardner 

366  John  Lowell  Gardner 

367  John  Lowell  Gardner 

Thomas  Groom 
363     George  H.  Kuhn 

369  James  B.  Bradlee 

370  William  Gray 

371  Caleb  Eddy 

Samuel  Barrett 
VVillard  Phillips 

372  Francis  Low 

Daniel  S.  Gilchrist 
Nathaniel  Greene 

373  William  Whiting 

374  Benjamin  Seaver 

375  Henry  A.  Page 

376  Theodore  Metcalf 

377  Lucius  Manlius  Sargent 

378  Nathan  Carruth 

Simon  Greenleaf 

379  Jabez  C.  Howe 

380  Joseph  N.  Howe,  Jr. 

381  George  A.  Whitney 

382  Jeffrey  Richardson 

383  John  Douglas  Bates 

384  Francis  S.  Carruth 

Charles  Homer 

385  Edward  H.  Robbins 

386  Abel  Kendall,  Jr. 

387  Charles  Sprague 

388  William  Minot 

389  George  Barrell  Emerson 

390  John  D.  Gardner 

391  William  Thomas 

392  John  T.  Coolidge 

393  John  Lamson 

394  Erastus  B.  Bigelow 

395  Andrew  T.  Hall 

396  Charles  Lyman 

Peter  P.  F.  Degrand 

397  Francis  Caleb  Loring 

398  Marshall  Spring  Perry 

399  Nathan  Cooley  Keep 

400  Francis  B.  Crowninshield 

401  R.  C.  Mackay 

402  Josiah  Ciuincy,  Jr. 


1844 

403 

1844 

404 

1844 

405 

1844 

406 

1849 

1844 

407 

1844 

1844 

408 

1844 

409 

1844 

410 

1844 

411 

1844 

412 

1844 

413 

1844 

414 

1845 

415 

1844 

416 

1844 

1844 

417 

1844 

418 

1847 

419 

1848 

1844 

420 

1848 

421 

1849 

422 

1844 

423 

1844 

424 

1844 

1844 

425 

1844 

1844 

426 

1846 

427 

1844 

428 

1844 

1844 

429 

1844 

1844 

430 

1844 

431 

1845 

432 

1844 

1844 

433 

1845 

434 

1845 

435 

1845 

1845 

1845 

436 

1845 

437 

1845 

1845 

438 

1845 

1845 

439 

1845 

440 

1845 

441 

1845 

1845 

1845 

442 

1845 

145  I 

443 

James  Johnson  1845 

Ebenezer  Chadwick  1845 
Wflliam  Gushing  Aylvvin  1845 

Jeremiah  Mason  1845 

Charles  Alason  1849 

Jamos  Paul  1845 

Otis  Daniell  1847 

Benjamin  Bangs  1845 

Thomas  Greenleaf  1845 

Thomas  Greenleaf  1845 

Thomas  Greenleaf  1845 

Thomas  Greenleaf  1845 

Francis  Calley  Gray  1845 

Nathan  Appleton  1845 

Nathan  Appleton  1845 

Nathan  Appleton  1845 

Thomas  G.  Appleton  1847 

Edward  Austin  1845 

Theodore  Chase  1845 

Martin  Brimmer  1845 

Nathaniel  Whiting  1849 

John  Stearns  1845 

Oliver  Eldridge  1845 

Charles  Fred.  Adams  1845 

Samuel  Appleton  1845 

Robert  Gould  Shaw  1845 

Francis  Geo.  Shaw  1849 

Peter  Chardon  Brooks  1845 

Abigail  B.Adams  1849 
Peter  Chardon  Brooks,  Jr.  1845 

Daniel  C.  Bacon  1845 
Charles  C.  Little  & 

James  Brown  1845 

Peter  Chardon  Brooks  1845 

Gorham  Brooks  1849 

Amos  Binney  1845 

Caleb  Chace  1845 

Jonathan  Chapman  1845 

Francis  Bacon  1849 

Jonas  Chickering  1845 

Edward  Codman  1845 
Samuel  F.  Coolidge  & 

Elisha  Haskell  1845 

Jonathan  Brown,  Jr.  1849 

Charles  P.  Curtis,  Jr.  1845 

Thomas  Dixon  1845 

B.  Homer  Dixon  1850 

John  Guardenicr  1846 

Benjamin  T.  Reed  1850 

James  Davis,  Jr.  1845 

Samuel  Atkins  Eliot  1845 

Edwards  &  Stoddard  1845 

Charles  Stoddard  & 

J.  S.  Lovering  1847 

John  Earle,  Jr.,  &  Co.  1845 

William  P.  Parrott  1849 

Stephen  Fairbanks  1845 


CHRONOLOGICAL    LIST   OF   PROPRIETORS. 


251 


444 

Samuel  Atkins  Eliot 

1845 

485 

Michael  H.  Simpson 

1845 

445 

Richard  Sullivan  Fay 

1845 

486 

James  Savage 

1845 

446 

John  Gardner 

1845 

487 

John  Amory  Lowell 

1845 

447 

Horace  Gray 

1845 

488 

Charles  Francis  Adams 

1850 

Tristram  B.  Mackay 

1849 

489 

Lemuel  Shaw 

1845 

448 

Prince  Hawes 

1845 

490 

H.  M.  Holbrook,  J.  B. 

Benjamin  Lincoln 

1849 

Carter,  &  Co. 

1845 

449 

George  Hallet 

1845 

491 

Samuel  Appleton 

1845 

Benjamin  F.  Wing 

1845 

492 

Samuel  Appleton 

1845 

450 

James  H.  Hicks 

1845 

493 

David  Sears,  Jr. 

1845 

Charles  Eliot  Ware 

1849 

494 

Peter  Chardon  Brooks 

1845 

451 

Robert  Gould  Shaw 

1845 

Francis  Boott  Brooks 

1849 

Robert  G.  Shaw,  Jr. 

1849 

495 

Frederic  Sears 

1845 

452 

Patrick  T.  Jackson 

1845 

496 

Mercantile  Library  Asso 

.1845 

Lydia  Jackson, (Trustee 

)1848 

497 

Winlhrop  Sears 

1845 

453 

Eliphalet  Kimball,  J.  H. 

498 

Thomas  H.  Perkins 

1845 

Jewett,  &  Co. 

1845 

499 

Thomas  H.  Perkins 

1845 

Eliphalet  Kimball 

1849 

500 

Thomas  H.  Perkins 

1845 

Augustine  Heard 

1849 

501 

Charles  Amory 

1850 

454 

Henry  Lee,  Jr. 

1845 

John  Louis  Clarke 

1850 

455 

Arnold  Welles 

1845 

502 

Charles  Amory 

1850 

456 

James   L.   Little,    Paul 

503 

William  Amory 

1850 

Alden,  &  Co. 

1845 

William  Amory,  Jr. 

1850 

457 

John  Amory  Lowell 

1845 

504 

Nathan  Appleton 

1850 

458 

Robert  M.  Mason 

1845 

505 

Robert  Appleton 

1850 

459 

James  K.  Mills 

1845 

506 

Samuel  Appleton 

1850 

460 

Charles  C.  Perkins 

1845 

507 

Samuel  Appleton 

1850 

461 

Edward  N.  Perkins 

1845 

508 

Samuel  Appleton 

1850 

462 

John  Amory  Lowell 

1845 

509 

Samuel  A.  Appleton 

1850 

463 

Samuel  Phipps 

1845 

510 

William  Appleton 

1850 

464 

George  Pratt 

1845 

William  Appleton,  Jr 

1850 

465 

William  C.  Eayrs  & 

511 

Samuel  T.  Armstrong 

1850 

Josiah  L.  Fairbanks 

1845 

Mrs.  A.  Armstrong 

1850 

466 

Thomas  11.  Perkins 

1845 

512 

Samuel  Austin 

1850 

Thos.  H.  Perkins,  Jr. 

1849 

513 

Ebenezer  Bacon 

1850 

467 

George  R.  Sampson 

1845 

514 

Daniel  C.  Bacon 

1850 

468 

Robert  Gould  Shaw 

1845 

Ebenezer  Bacon 

1850 

G.  Howland  Shaw 

1849 

515 

James  F.  Baldwin 

1850 

469 

Francis  Skinner  &.  Co. 

1845 

516 

George  P.  Bangs 

1850 

Henry  K.  Horton 

1847 

517 

James  Bayley 

1850 

470 

Josiah  Stickney 

1845 

518 

Charles  Beck 

1850 

471 

Philo  S.  Shelton 

1845 

519 

Joseph  Bell 

1850 

472 

Ignatius  Sargent 

1845 

520 

John  A.  Blanchard 

1850 

473 

James  W.  Smith 

1845 

521 

John  W.  Blodget 

1850 

474 

Matthias  Plant  Sawyer 

1845 

522 

J.  Ingersoll  Bowditch 

1850 

475 

John  L.  Tucker 

1845 

523 

Dwight  Boyden 

1850 

Samuel  K.  Williams 

1848 

524 

Josiah  Bradlee 

1850 

476 

Adam  W.  Thaxter 

1845 

George  B.  Cary 

1850 

477 

John  Eliot  Thayer 

1845 

525 

Josiah  Bradlee 

1850 

478 

Henry  Timmins 

1845 

526 

Josiah  Bradlee 

1850 

479 

John  Collins  Warren 

1845 

527 

Elijah  D.  Brigham 

1850 

480 

John  Welles 

1845 

528 

Francis  Augustus  Brook 

3  1850 

481 

John  Welles 

1845 

529 

Peter  Chardon  Brooks 

1850 

H.  Hollis  Hunnewell 

1847 

530 

John  Bryant 

1850 

482 

Moses  B.  Williams 

1845 

Henry  Bryant 

1850 

483 

J.  Simmons  &  Son 

1845 

531 

William  S.Bullard 

1850 

484 

Lewis  W.  Tappan 

1845 

532 

Benjamin  Burgess 

1850 

252 


CHRONOLOGICAL  LIST   OF   PROPRIETORS. 


533 


534 
53.3 
536 
537 
53S 
53'J 
540 
541 
542 
543 
544 
545 
546 
547 

548 
549 

550 
551 
552 
553 

554 
555 

556 

557 
558 
55!) 
560 
561 
562 

563 
564 
5(i5 
566 
567 
568 
569 
570 
571 
572 
573 
574 
575 
576 
577 
578 
579 
580 
581 


Susan  But  ley 

Frt'il    llowes,  (Cxec.) 

\Villi:iiii  B.  Howes 
Joseph  Burnett 
T.  O.  II.  P.  iSuniham 
Tlieopliilus  Burr 
Tlioinas  Greaves  Cary 
Ebenezer  (,'liad\vick 
\V\nlter  Clianning 
Rufus  Clioate 
B.  C.  Clark- 
Cliarles  11.  Codnian 
Kdward  Codrnan 
George  \V.  Coffin 
William  E.  Coffin 
Joseph  II.  Cotton 
Jolin  A.  Cunningham 

C.  Loring  Cunningham 
Benjamin  11.  Curtis 
Charles  P.  Cmtis 

William  W.  Greenough 
Thomas  B.  Curtis 
Thomas  P.  dishing 
Samuel  T.  Dana 
Edmund  W.  Dana  & 

Stephen  \V.  Dana 
George  Darracott 
James  Davis,  Jr. 

Frederick  \V.  Davis 
Peter  P.  V.  Degrand 

Otis  Turner 
William  Dehon 
Franklin  Dexter 
John  R.  Dow 
Levi  A.  Dowley 
Daniel  Draper 
^Vlllianl  C.  Eayrs  & 

Josiah  L.  Fairbanks 
Edward  Everett 
George  N.  Faxon 
Harrison  Fay 
William  C   Fay 
Fay  &  Farwells 
Albert  Fearing 
Charles  B.  Fessenden 
Richard  Fletcher 
William  B.  Fosdick 
Jonatiian  French 
Nath.  L.  Frotliingham 
Addison  Gage 
William  M.Gardiner 
Henry  J.  Gardner 
John  L.  Gardner 
Ozias  Goodwin 
Moses  Grant 
John  Chipman  Gray 
Tliomas  Gray 


1850 

'582 

]850 

583 

1r50 

584 

1850 

585 

1850 

586 

1850 

587 

1850 

588 

1850 

589 

1850 

590 

1850 

591 

1850 

592 

1850 

593 

1850 

1850 

594 

1850 

595 

1850 

596 

1850 

597 

1850 

598 

1850 

599 

1850 

600 

1850 

601 

1850 

602 

1850 

603 

1850 

604 

1850 

605 

1850 

1850 

606 

1850 

607 

1850 

608 

1850 

609 

1850 

610 

1850 

611 

1850 

612 

1850 

613 

1850 

614 

1850 

1850 

615 

1850 

616 

1850 

617 

1850 

618 

1850 

619 

1850 

620 

1850 

621 

1850 

622 

1850 

623 

1850 

624 

1850 

625 

1850 

626 

1850 

627 

1850 

626 

1850 

1850 

629 

1850 

630 

1850 

631 

1 850 

632 

Andrew  T.  Hail  1850 

Henry  Hall  1850 

Hen'ry  S.  Hallet  1850 

Peter  Harvey  1850 

Franklin  Haven  1850 

William  Hayden  1850 

William  A.  Hayden  1850 

George  Haj'ward  1850 

Augustine  Heard  1850 

Peter  Thacher  Homer  1850 

George  Howe  1850 

Jabez  C.  Howe  1850 

Samuel  Johnson  1850 

H.  Hollis  Hunnewell  1850 

James  Ingersoll  1850 

Chailes  Jackson  1850 

Charles  Jackson,  Jr.  1850 

Anna  P  Jones  1850 

George  B.  Jones  1850 

George  H.  Kuhn  1850 

Abbott  Lawrence  1850 

Abbott  Lawrence  1850 

Abbott  Lawrence  1850 

Amos  Lawrence  1850 

Samuel  K.  Lothrop  1850 

Amos  Lawrence  1850 

Samuel  Lawrence  1850 

Amos  Lawrence  1850 

James  Lawrence  1850 

Samuel  Lawrence  1850 

William  11.  Lawrence  1850 

James  Lee,  Jr.  1850 

Thomas  Lee  1850 

Sargent  S.  Littlehale  1850 

Giles  Henrv  Lodge  1850 

G.  C.  Henry  Lodge  1850 

John  E.  Lodge  1850 

Henry  Cabot  1850 

Ammi  C.  Lombard  1850 

Israel  Lombard  1850 

Elisha  T.  Loring  1850 

Francis  Caleb  Loring  1850 

Francis  Cabot  Lovveli  1850 

Francis  Cabot  Lowell  1850 

Francis  Cabot  Lowell  1850 

John  Ainory  Lowell  1850 

John  Amory  Lowell  1850 

John  Amory  Lowell  1850 

John  Amory  Lowell  1850 

George  Tlieodore  Lyman  1850 

George  Williams  Lyman  1850 
Thacher  Magoun  & 

Thacher  Magoun,  Jr.  1850 

William  P.  Mason  1850 

John  M.  Mayo  1850 

Charles  Merriam  1850 

Charles  H.  Mills  1850 


CHRONOLOGICAL   LIST   OF   PROPRIETORS. 


253 


633  Charles  H.  Mills 

634  Charles  H.  Mills 

635  (Unsold.) 

636  James  K.  Mills 

637  Lawrence  Aichols 
63rf  Nathaniel  H.Osgood 

639  James  VV.  Paige 

640  Daniel  Pinckney  Parker 

641  John  Brooks  Parker 

642  William  F.  Parrott 

643  Arthur  L.  Payson 

644  George  Peabody 

645  John  H.  Pearson 

646  Charles  C.  Perkins 

647  Edward  Newton  Perkins 

648  Thomas  H.  Perkins 

649  Thomas  H.  Perkins 

650  Thomas  H.  Perkins 

651  Lyinan  Perry 

652  Edward  D.  Peters 

653  William  D.  Pickman 

654  Samuel  S.  Pierce 

655  William  H.  Prescott 

656  Josiah  Q,uincy,  Jr. 

Josiah  P.  Quincy 

657  James  Read  & 

Cliristoph.C.CIiadwick 

658  Lewis  Rice 

659  Henrv  B   Rogers 

660  William  Ropes 

661  George  R.  Sampson 

662  William  Sawyer 

663  David  Sears 

664  George  Ciieyne  Shattuck 

William  VVashburn 

665  George  Cheyne  Shattuck 

Timothy  Farrar 

666  George  Cheyne  Shattuck 

Horatio  Bigelow 

667  George  Cheyne  Shattuck 

Nathaniel  J.  Bradlee 

663  G.  Howland  Shaw 

669  Robert  Gould  Shaw 

670  Robert  Gould  Shaw 


1850  I  671 

1650 

672 
673 
674 
675 
676 
677 
678 
679 


1650 

1650 

1650 

1650 

1650 

1650 

1850 

1650  i  680 

1650  1 

1850  681 


1650 
1650 
1650 


682 

663 
1850 '664 
1650  I  685 
1850  686 
1650  687 
16.50  668 
1650  I  689 
1650  I  690 
1850  I  691 
le50  !  692 
1  693 
694 
695 


16T(I 
]65;> 
1650 
1850 
1850 
1850 


1850 
1650 
1850 
1850 
18.50 
1850 
1650 
1650 
1850 
1650 
1850 


696 
697 

698 


1650  I  699 


700 
701 
702 
703 
704 
705 
706 

707 
708 


Robert  Gould  Shaw  1850 

Quincy  A.  Shaw  1850 

Robert  Gould  Shaw,  Jr.  1650 

Michael  H.  Simpson  1650 

Francis  Skinner  ltf50 

Jarvis  Slade  1850 

Richard  Soule  1650 

Paran  Stevens  1650 

J.  Thomas  Stevenson  1650 

Henry  P.  Sturgis  1850 

William  Sturgis  1850 

Henry  J.  Bigelow  1850 

Lewis  W.  Tappan  1650 

John  Eliot  Tiiayer  1850 

Enoch  Train  1850 

Nathaniel  Thayer  1850 

William  Thomas  1850 

Charles  Torrey  1850 

Frederic  Tudor  1850 

William  Underwood  1650 

Thomas  Beale  Wales  1650 

Samuel  G.  Ward  1650 

Thomas  Wren  Ward  1650 

George  W.  Warren  1850 

Aaron  D.  Weld  1850 

William  F.  Weld  1650 

John  Welles  1850 

Aiden  Bradford  Weston  1^50 

Ezra  Weston  1650 

Charles  O.  Whitmore  1850 

David  R.  Whitney  1850 

Edward  Wiegiesworth  1850 

James  C.  W^M  1850 

Solomon  ^V'ildes  1850 

Charles  Wilkins  1850 

John  H.  Wilkins  1850 

David  W.  Williams  1650 

G.Foster  Williams  1850 

John  E.  Williams  1850 
Hamilton  Willis  & 

Lucian  Skinner  1850 

William  P.  Winchester  1850 
Joshua  H.  W^olcott 

Henry  A.  Rice  1850 


ALPHABETICAL  LIST 

OK  THE 

PROPRIETORS   OF  THE  BOSTON  ATHEN^UM, 

FROM 

ITS   FOUNDATION  TO  THE   END    OF   THE  TEAR    1850, 
ACCORDING  TO  THE  CERTIFICATE  BOOK. 


N.  B. 


The  numbers  within  parentheses  denote  shares  formerly  held  by  the  persons  to 
whose  names  they  are  annexed. 


Abbot,  Samuel  Leonard 

285 

Abbott,  Jacob 

(67) 

Adams,  Abigail  B. 

425 

Adams,  Benjamio 

104,  299 

Adams,  Caleb 

(104) 

Adams,  Charles  Francis 

255,  359, 

[488 

Adams,  Charles  Frederic 

k           422 

Adams,  John  Ciuincy 

(255) 

Adams,  Zabdiel  Boylston 

210 

Albree,  John 

(75) 

Alexander,  Andrew 

251 

Alger,  Cyrus 

102 

Alger,  Francis 

7 

Allen,  Charles 

(24) 

Allen,  James 

(24) 

Allen,  James,  Jr. 

(24) 

Allen,  Robert  B. 

(24) 

Amory,  Charles          300, 

(501),  502 

Amory,  James  S. 

273 

Amory,  Jonathan 

(145) 

Amory,  Jonathan,  Jr. 

(145) 

Amory,  Nathaniel 

(68) 

Amory,  Thomas  Coffin 

(17) 

Amory,  Thomas  Coffin 

(17) 

Amory,  Thomas  C,  Jr. 

226 

Amory,  William 

278,  (503) 

Amory,  William,  Jr. 

503 

Andrews,  Caleb 

128 

Andrews,  Kbenezer  T. 

(60) 

Andrews,  Henry 

(112) 

Andrews,  James 

254 

Andrews,  William  Turell              60 

Appleton,  Ebenezer 

(165) 

Appleton,  Francis  Henry  327 

Appleton,  Nathan       27,  414,  415, 
[(416),  504 
Appleton,  Robert  505 

Appleton,  Samuel     129,  423,  491, 
[492,  506,  507,  508 
Appleton,  Samuel  A.  509 

Appleton,  Thomas  Gold  416 

Appleton,  William  121,  (510) 

Appleton,  William,  Jr. 
Apthorp,  John  T. 
Armstrong,  Mrs.  A. 
Armstrong,  Samuel  T. 
Austin,  Edward 
Austin,  James  T. 
Austin,  Samuel 
Aylwin,  William  Cusliin 


510 

(84) 
511 

194,  (511) 
417 

107,  (172) 
49,  512 

I     405 


B. 

Babcock,  Adam 
Bacon,  Daniel  C. 
Bacon,  Ebenezer 
Bacon,  Francis 
Balch,  Anna  L. 
Balch,  Joseph 
Baldwin,  James  F. 
Ball,  Stephen,  Jr. 
Bancroft,  George 
Bangs,  Benjamin 
Bangs,  George  P. 
Barnard,  Charles 
Barnes,  Isaac  Orr 
Barrell,  Samuel  B. 
Bartlett,  Sidney 


(86) 

427,  (514) 

513,  514 

432 

286 

(286) 
515 
322 
(92) 
408 
516 
69,274 
303 

(189) 
284 


ALPHABETICAL   LIST  OF   PROPKIETORS. 


255 


Bartlett,  Thomas  97 

Barrett,  Samuel  (371) 

Bass,  Seth  (205) 

Bassett,  Francis  241 

Batchelder,  Samuel  330 

Bates,  George  224 

Bates,  John  Douglas  383 

Baxter,  Sarah  (144) 

Bay  ley,  James  517 

Bean,  Horace  (221) 

Beck,  Charles  47,518 

Belknap,  Andrew  Eliot  364 

Belknap,  John  95 

Bell,  Joseph  260,  519 
Bellows,  John                   (72),  (177) 

Bemis,  Samuel  A.  (26) 

Bethune,  John  McLean  115 

Bigelow,  Erastus  B.  394 

Bigelow,  Henry  J.  680 

Bigelow,  Horatio  666 

Bigelow,  Jacob  206 

Bigelow,  John  Prescott  85 

Bigelow,  Timothy  (85) 

Billings,  Eben  (24) 

Binney,  Amos  (11),  430 

Blake,  Edward  50 

Blake,  Edward  110 

Blake,  George  Batey  281 

Blake,  James  (37) 

Blake,  John  Harrison  37 

Blake, Joshua  182 

Blake,  William  333 

Blanciiard,  Edward  276 

Blanchard,  Edward,  Jr.  184 

Blanchard,  John  A.  348,  520 

Bhss,  Alexander  (244) 

Bliss,  William  Davis  39 

Blodget,  John  W.  521 

Bond,  Charles  R.  (180) 

Bond,  George  (117) 

Boott,  Francis  (77) 

Boott,  Francis  (186) 

Boott,  John  Wright  (40) 

Boott,  Kirk  (40) 

Boott,  Kirk  40 

Boott,  William  (40) 
Borland,  John                      33,(275) 

Borland,  John  Nelson  275 
Bowditch,  Henry  Ingersoll          118 

Bowditch,  J.  Ingersoll  79,  522 

Bowditch,  Nathaniel  (118) 
Bowditch,  Nathaniel  Ingersoll      28 

Bowdoin,  James  (HO) 

Bowdoin,  James  (119) 

Bowen,  Charles  (131) 

Boyden,  Dwight  523 

Boyden,  Uriah  A.  232 


Bradbury,  Charles  150 

Bradlee,  Frederic  Wainwright    134 
Bradlee,  James  B.  369 

Bradlee,  Joseph  P.  (132) 

Bradlee,  Josiah       (134),  (524),  525, 
[526 
Bradlee,  Josiah,  Jr.  264 

Bradlee,  Nathaniel  J.  667 

Brewer,  Gardner  357 

Bridge,  Samuel  James  (55) 

Brigham,  Elijah  D.  527 

Brimmer,  Martin  (130),  (419) 

Brimmer,  Martin  130 

Bromfield,  John  263 

Brooks,  Edward  164 

Brooks,  Francis  Augustus    288,  528 
Brooks,  Francis  Boott  4'J4 

Brooks,  Gorham  116,  159,  429 

Brooks,  Peter  C.  (54),  (425).  (429), 
[(494) 
Brooks,  Peter  C.  54,  426,  52'J 

Brown,  Charles  (137) 

Brown,  John  (123) 

Brown,  John  C.  (9) 

Brown,  Jonathan,  Jr.  435 

Bryant,  Henry  530 

Bryant,  John  156,  (530) 

Bryant,  John,  Jr.  300 

Bullard,  Asa  (233) 

Bullard,  William  S.       (139),  151, 
[(340,)  531 
Bumstead,  Jolin  113 

Burgess,  Benjamin  532 

Buriey,  Susan  122,  (5.33) 

Burnett,  Joseph  534 

Burnham,  Thomas  O.  H.  Perry    535 
Burr,  Theophilus  536 

Burroughs,  George  6 

Bussey,  Benjamin  (16) 


C. 

Cabot,  Henry  (117),  614 

Cabot,  John  H.  (11) 

Cabot,  Richard  C.  (86),  103 

Cabot,  Samuel  (8),  328 

Cabot,  Samuel,  Jr.  256 

Cabot,  Thomas  H.  (256) 

Callender,  George  342 

Capt,  John  S.  120 

Carruth,  Francis  S.  (384) 

Carruth,  Nathan  (378) 

Cary,  George  B.  524 
Cary,  Thomas  Greaves        215,  537 

Cazenove,  Charles  J.  (250) 

Chace,  Caleb  431 


256 


ALPHABETICAL   LIST   OF  PROmiETORS. 


Chadwiek,  Ebenezer  40-1,  538 

Chiiiuiler,  Abiul  ('2-17) 

Cha.icller,  G.  L.,  Jr.        (105),  (181) 

Clmnning,  Walter  211),  53'.) 

Cluimiiiig,  William  Ellery         (i>3;)) 

Channing,  William  F.  23'.) 

CliapiiKin,  George  0'^^) 

Chapman,  Jonathan  i^'^'-^) 

Chapman,  Jonathan         (1^3),  (432) 

(.Jhase,  Thomas  G. 

Chase,  Theodore 

Chickering,  Jonas 

Child,  David  W. 

Choate,  Rufus 

Clark,  B.  C. 

Clark,  John 

Clarke,  John  Louis 

Cleveland,  Henry  Russell 

Cleveland,  Sarah  Perkins 

Coale,  William  E. 

Cobb,  Frederick  A. 

Cobb,  Richard 

Cochran,  William 

Codman,  Charles  R. 

Codman,  Edward 

Codman,  Henry 

Codman,  John 

Coilman,  tstejihen 

CoiBn,  George  W. 

Coffin,  John  G. 

Coffin,  William  E. 

Colby,  Gardner 

Cooke,  Josiah  Parsons 

Coolidge,  Cornelius 

Coolidge,  John  T. 

Coolidge,  Joseph 

Coolidge,  Joseph,  Jr. 

Coolidge,  Samuel  F.  &. 

Haskell,  Elisha 
Cordis,  Thomas 
Cotting,  Uriah 
Cotton,  Joseph  H. 
Courtis,  Ambrose  S. 
Courtis,  Thomas 
Craigie,  Andrew 
Crowninshield,  Benj.  VV.    Gl 
Crowninshield,  Edward  A. 
Crowninshield,  Francis  B. 
Crufl,  Edward 
Cunningham,  Charles 
Cuimingham,  C.  Loring 
C'unningham,  John  A. 
Cunningiiam,  Joseph  L. 
Curtis,  15onjainin  liobbins 
Curtis,  Caleb 


Curtis,  Charles  P. 
Curtis,  Charles  P. 


(112) 

418 

433 

(174) 

181,  540 

541 

(236) 

.501 

(252) 

252 

268 

(186) 

(236) 

(128) 

35,  542 

434,  543 

31 

(121) 

(31),  48 

304,  544 

(216) 

545 

314 

59 

(24) 

392 

(123) 

(36),  (123) 

(435) 

176 

(15) 

546 

(216) 

(216) 

(87) 

(324) 

324 

400 

li)3 

74 

547 

(547) 

(66) 

186,  548 

305 

19,  (lift),  (.549) 
Jr.        436 


Curtis,  Daniel  Sargent  325 

Curtis,  Nathaniel,  Jr.  (7) 

Curtis,  Thomas  B.  (75),  550 

Cushing;  Caleb  160 

Gushing,  Luther  Stearns  261 

Gushing,  Thomas  (61) 

Gushing,  Thomas  P.  307,  551 

Cutler,  Pliny  (137) 


D. 

Dalton,  Peter  R.  (194) 
Dana,  Edmund  W.  & 

Dana,  Stephen  W.  553 

Dana,  Samuel  T.  552 

Daniell,  Otis  407 

Durracott,  George  554 

Davis,  Charles  (88) 

Davis,  Edward  G.  (79) 

Davis,  Francis  86 

Davis,  Frederick  W.  555 

Davis,  Isaac  P.  (90) 
Davis,  James,  Jr.                439,  (5-55) 

Davis,  John  (251) 

Davis,  John  Brazer  (177) 

Davis,  Jonathan  (79) 

Davis,  Joshua  (71) 

Davis,  Thomas  (39) 

Dearborn,  Henry  A.  S.  (105) 
Degrand,  Peter  P.  F.  (66),  396,  (556) 

Dehon,  William  557 

Derby,  Richard  C.  89 

Dexter,  Franklin  558 
Dexter,  George  M.    (18),  (247),  259 

Dexter,  Sanmel  21 

Dexter,  Thomas  A.  (17) 

Dillaway,  Charles  K.  (230) 

Dixon,  H.  Homer  437 

Dixon,  Thomas  (437) 

Dixwell,  (jieorge  Basil  335 

Dixwell,  John  222 

Dixwell,  John  James  334 

Dodge,  Pickering  (7!>) 

Dorr,  Charles  H.  179 

Dorr,  John  202 

Dorr,  Samuel  (179) 

Dow,  John  R.  559 

Dovvley,  Levi  A.  560 

Downer,  Samuel  198 

Draper,  Daniel  561 

Dwight,  Edmund  248 


E. 

Earle,  John,  Jr,  &Co.  (412) 


ALPHABETICAL   LIST   OF   PROPRIETORS. 


257 


Eayrs,  William  C.  & 

Fairbanks,  Josiah  Loring        465, 
[562 
Eddy,  Caleb  (371) 

Eddy,  Robert  Henry  230 

Edraands,  J.  Wilev  282 

Edwards  &  Stoddard  (441) 

Eidridge,  Oliver  421 

Eliot,  Samuel  (7) 

Eliot,  Samuel  Atkins    199,  440,  444 
Eliot,  William  Havard  (7) 

Ellery,  John  S.  (144) 

Ellis,  David  (189) 

Emerson,  George  Barrell  389 

Emmons,  Nathaniel  H.  92 

Everett,  Edward  195,  563 


Fairbanks,  Stephen  443 

Fales,  Samuel  (272) 

Farley,  Robert  (71) 

Farnsworth,  Amos  (230) 

Farrar,  Timothy  665 

Faxon,  George  N.  205,  564 

Faxon,  Nathaniel  244 

Fay,  Harrison  565 

Fay,  Richard  Sullivan  445 

Fay,  William  C.  566 

Fay  &  Farwells  567 

Fearing,  Albert  568 

Felt,  Joseph  Barlow  44 
Felton,  Cornelius  Conway        (136) 

Fessenden,  Charles  B.  569 

Fisher,  Francis  349 

Fisk,  Abijah  (178) 

Flagg,  Josiah  Foster  214 

Fletcher,  Richard  221,570 

Forbes,  John  M.  360 

Forbes,  Robert  Bennett  (92) 

Fosdick,  William  B.  571 

Foster,  John  (228) 

Foster,  Thomas  (228) 

Francis,  Ebenezer  15 

Freeman,  James  (59) 

Freeman,  James,  Jr.  (127) 

French,  Jonathan  315,  572 

Frothingham,  Nathaniel  L.  573 

Frothingham,  Samuel  338 


G. 

Gage,  Addison  574 

Gardiner,  Robert  Hallowell  96 

Gardiner,  William  Howard  38,  575 

33 


Gardner,  George  355 

Gardner,  Henry  124 

Gardner,  Henry  J.  576 

Gardner,  John  446 

Gardner,  John  D.  390 
Gardner,  John  L.  365, 366,  (367),  577 

Gardner,  Samuel  J.  (103) 

Gardner,  Samuel  P.  (148) 

Gates,  Jacob  (105) 

Gay,  Martin  51 

Gerry,  Elbridge  (197) 

Gibbs,  William  (247) 

Gilchrist,  Daniel  S.  (372) 

Gilmore,  Addison  326 

Goddard,  Nathaniel  (51) 

Goodrich,  Samuel  G.  (I'^S) 

Goodwin,  Ozias  297,  578 

Goodwin,  Ozias,  (Trustee)  183 

Gore,  John  (34) 

Gore,  John  C.  34 

Gorham,  John  (220) 

Gragg,  Washington  P.  (130) 

Grant,  Moses  579 

Gray,  Francis  Calley  152, 413 

Gray,  Horace  (151),  (447) 

Gray,  Horace,  Jr.  287 

Gray,   John   Chipman  153,   (287), 
[(288),  (289),  580 


Gray,  Samuel  Calley 
Gray,  Thomas 
Gray,  William 
Gray,  William  R. 
Green,  James  Diman 
Greene,  Benjamin  D. 
Greene,  Gardiner 
Greene,  John  S.  Copley 
Greene,  Nathaniel 
Greene,  Simon  Eliot 
Greenleaf,  Simon 


190 

581 
(59),  370 
(59) 
216 
311 
(49) 
(49) 
(7),  372 
(178),  (233) 
378 


Greenleaf,  Thomas  409,  410,   411, 
[412 
Greenough,  Alfred  212 

Greenough,  David  Stoddard         339 
Greenough,  William  W.  549 

Grew,  Henry  (145) 

Grigg,  William  (244) 

Groom,  Thomas  367 

Guardenier,  John  (257),  (260),  (263), 
[(438) 
Guild,  Benjamin  163 


H. 


Hale,  Enoch 
Hall,  Andrew  T. 
Hall,  Henry 


211 

395,  582 
344,  583 


258 


ALPHABETICAL    LIST   OF   PROPRIETORS. 


Hall,  James 
Hall,  Joseph 
Hallet,  George 
Haliet,  Henry  S. 
Hammond,  Daniel 
Hancock,  John 
Hancock,  John,  Jr. 
Harris,  Samuel  D. 
Harvey,  Peter 
Hastings,  Daniel 
Haven,  Franklin 
Hawes,  Prince 
Hayden,  William 


172) 

(74) 

(160),  (449) 

584 

135 

23 

131 

(48) 

585 

(87) 

132,  586 

(448) 

587 


Hayden,  William  Augustus         588 

Hayes,  Francis  Brown  (67),  72 

Hayes,  Hercules  M.  (178) 

Hays,  Judah  (46) 

Hay  ward,  George  218,  581) 

Hayward,  James  228 

Hayward,  Joshua  H.  (215) 

Head,  Joseph  (12) 

Healey,  Mark  77 

Heard,  Augustine  453,  590 

Heard,  John,  Jr.  80 

Henshaw,  David  200 

Henshaw,  Samuel  56 

Hicks,  James  H.  (59),  (450) 

Higginson,  Francis  J.  (28) 


Howe,  Jabez  C.  379,  (593) 

Howe,  Joseph  N.,  Jr.  380 

Ho\v£,  Samuel  Gridley  197 

Howes,  Frederick  (122) 
Howes,  Frederick,  (Executor)  (533) 

Howes,  William  B.  533 

iIubbard,John  (143) 

Hubbard,  Samuel  238 

Hudson,  Sumner  (353) 

Hunnewell,  H.  HoUis  481,  594 

1  Hurd,  Joseph,  Jr.  (106) 

I  Hurd,  WilHam  106 

Hutchings,  William  V.  (107) 


Higginson,  Henry 
Higginson,  James  Perkins 
Higginson,  Stephen 
Higginson,  Stephen,  Jr 
Hill,  Thomas,  Jr. 


(Ill) 

(82) 
111 

(82) 
(28),  (29) 
(77) 


Hillard,  George  Stillman  42 

Hoar,  E.  Rockwood  66 

Hobart,  Aaron  (340J 
Holbrook,  Henry  M.,  Carter,  J.  B. 

&  Co.  490 

Holmes,  Oliver  Wendell  262 

Homans,  John  127 

Homer,  Charles  384 

Homer,  Joseph  W.  137 

Homer,  Peter  Thacher  148,  591 

Hooker,  Anson,  Jr.  (226) 

Hooper,  John  (138) 

Hooper,  Nathaniel  289 

Hooper,  Robert  266 

Hooper,  Robert  C.  317 

Hooper,  Robert  William  267 

Hooper,  Samuel  381 

Horton,  Henry  K.  694 

Hosmer,  Zelotes  (145) 

Hovey,  Charles  F.  329 

Howard,  John  Clarke  (114) 

Howard,  John  Clarke  114 
Howe,  George                    (257),  592 


I. 

Inches,  Henderson 
Ingalls,  William 
Ingersoll,  James 


157 

(57),  207 
316,  595 


Jackson,  Charles  147,  596 

Jackson,  Charles,  Jr.  597 

Jackson,  James  192 

Jackson,  Lydia,  (Trustee)  452 
Jackson,  Patrick  Tracy     149,  (452) 

Jenks,  JohnH.  (178) 

Johnson,  James  403 

Johnson,  Samuel  593 

Jones,  Anna  P.  9,  598 

Jones,  George  B.  599 

Jones,  John  Coffin  (9) 

Jones,  Stephen,  Jr.  (99) 

Jones,  Thomas  K.  (55) 

Joy,  Benjamin  9l 

K. 

Keep,  Nathan  Cooley  399 

Kendall,  Abel,  Jr.  386 

Kendall,  Hugh  R.  351 

Kent,  Moody  12 

Kettell,  Samuel  220 
Kimball,  Eliphalet,  Jewett,  J.  H. 

&  Co.  (453) 

Kimball,  Eliphalet  (453) 
Kirkland,  John  Thornton          (127) 

Knowles,  Seth  (75) 

Kuhn,  George  H.  368,600 


Lamb,  James  (101) 


ALPHABETICAL  LIST   OF   PROPRIETORS. 


259 


Lamb,  Thomas 

101 

I.ainson,  Alvan 

189 

Laiiison,  Edwin 

321 

Lanison,  John 

3!»3 

Larkin,  Eben 

(115) 

Lawrence,  Abbott  167,  (290),)  291), 
(292),  601,  602,  603 
Lawrence,  Abbott,  Jr.  ,         292 

Lawrence,  Amos  (169),  293,  (294), 
[(604),  (605),  606 
Lawrence,  Amos  Adams  26.  (186) 
Lawrence,  James  290,  607 

Lawrence,  Samuel  (232),  605,  608 
Lawrence,  Timothy  Bigelow  291 
Lawrence,  William  (196),  310,  (311) 
Lawrence,  William  R.  169,  609 

Lee,  Francis  (29),  (140) 

Lee,  George  Gardner  (78) 

Lee,  Henry  29 

Lee,  Henry,  Jr.  454 

Lee,  James,  Jr.  610 

Lee,  Thomas  141,  611 

Leeds,  Timothy  C.  362 

Lienovv,  Henry  (65) 

Lincoln,  Benjamin  448 

Lincoln,  Bradford,  Jr.  (55) 

Little,  James  L.,  Alden,  Paul, 

&  Co.  456 

Little,  Charles  C.& 

Brown,  James  428 

Littlehale,  Sargent  S.  612 

Livermore,  George  16 

Livermore,  Isaac  347 

Lloyd,  James  (33),  (275) 

Lodge,  G.  C.  Henry  613 

Lodge,  Giles  Henry  105,  (613) 

Lodge,  John  E.  258, (614) 

Lombard,  Ammi  C.  615 

Lombard,  Israel  616 

Loring,  Benjamin  253 

Loring,  Caleb  (64) 

Loring,  Charles  Greely  64 

Loring,  Charles  Greely, (Adm'r)  161 
Loring,  Edward  G.  (86),  (170) 

Loring,  Elijah  123 

Loring,  Elisha  T.  617 

Loring,  Francis  Caleb  397,  618 

Loring,  Josiah  (252) 

Loring,  William  J.  (2-58) 

Lotlirop,  Samuel  K.  604 

Low,  Francis  ('^''^) 

Lowell,  Charles  22 

Lowell,  Francis  Cabot  (67),  279, 
[619,  620,  621 
Lowell,  George  G.  280 

Lowell,  John  (2),  (3) 

Lowell,  John,  Jr.  (67) 


Lowell,  John  Amory    3,   457,    462, 
[487,  622,  623,  624,  625 
Lowell,  Rebecca  Amory  2 

Lyman,  Charles  (396) 

Lyman,  George  Theodore  277,626 
Lyman,  George  Williams  245,  627 
Lyman,  Theodore  (63) 

Lyman,  Theodore  63 


M. 


Mackay,  John  (178) 

Mackay,  R.  C.  401 

3Iackay,  Tristram  B.  447 
Magoun,  Thacher  & 

Thacher  31agoun,  Jr.  628 

Marsh,  Joseph  31.  (24) 

Marshall,  Josiah  (8p) 

3Iartin,  Enoch  (18) 

3Ia.son,  Charles  406 

Mason,  Jeremiah  (406) 

Mason,  Jonathan  (92) 

3Iason,  Robert  31.  458 

3Iason,  William  P.  629 

3Iass.  General  Hospital  (95) 

3Iay,  Samuel  32 

3Iayo,  John  31.  630 

3Ielvilie,  Allan  (35) 
3Iercantile  Library  Association  496 

3Ierriam,  Charles  631 

3Ietcalf,  Theodore  376 

3Iiller,  Charles  E.  356 
Mills,  Charles  H.  632,633,634 
3Iills,  James  K.                     459,  636 

Minot,  W^illiam  388 

3Iixter,  Charles  257 

3Iotley,  Thomas  87 

3Iunson,  Israel  (58) 


N. 


Nichols,  Benjamin  Ropes  237 

Nichols,  Lawrence  637 

Norton,  Charles  Eliot  340 


O. 


Odin,  John  (188) 
Oliver,  Francis  Johonnot    25,  (120) 

Oliver,  William  (116) 

Osgood,  David  225 

Osgood,  Nathaniel  H.  638 

Otis,  George  A.  (177) 

Otis,  George  W^ashinglon  223 

Otis,  Harrison  Gray  (1) 


260 


ALPHABETICAL   LIST   OF   PROPRIETORS. 


Page,  Henry  A.  375 

Paige,  James  VV.  639 

Paine,  Frederic  William  (181) 

Paine,  Robert  Treat  55 

Parker,  Charles  Hamilton  206 

Parker,  Charles  Henry  272 

Parker,  Daniel  P.        20,  (302),  640 
Parker,  Henry  Tuke  302 

Parker,  Isaac  (102),  (103) 

Parker,  James  352 

Parker,  James  Brooks  641 

Parker,  John  (47) 

Parker,  John  (47),  (267) 

Parker,  Peter  100 

Parkman,  Daniel    (26),  (102),  (197) 
Parkrnan,  George  217 

Parkman,  George  Francis  361 

Parkman,  John  (197) 

Parkman,  Samuel  (39) 

Parris,  Alexander  (48) 

Parrott,  William  F.  642 

Parrott,  William  P.  442 

Parsons,  Gorham  (1^1) 

Parsons,  Nehemiah  ('08) 

Parsons,  Theopliilus  191 

Parsons,  Thomas  W.  (212) 

Parsons,  Thomas  W.,  Jr.  ISO 

Parsons,  William  (240) 

Parsons,  William  240 

Parsons,  William  75 

Paul,  James  (407) 

Payne,  Edward  W.  (86) 

Payne,  William  E.  {rG) 

Payson,  Arthur  L.  643 

Peabody,  George  644 

Pearson,  John  H.  645 

Pelham,  Charles  87 

Perkins,  Charles  C.  460,  646 

Perkins,  Edward  Newton    461,647 
Perkins,  James  (8) 

Perkins,  Samuel  G.  (83) 

Perkins,  Stephen  Higginson  83 

Perkins,  Thomas  (10) 

Perkins,  Thomas,  (Guardian)     (34) 
Perkins,  Thomas  H.    13,  (83),  (466), 
[498,  499,  500,  648,  649,  650 
Perkins,  Thomas  H.,  Jr.  466 

Perkins,  William  345 

Perkins,  William  P.  10 

Perry,  Lyman  (353),  651 

Perry,  Marshall  Spring  398 

Peters,  Edward  D.  652 

Phillips,  Edward  126 

Phillips,  Jonathan  98 

Phillips,  Stephen  Henry  71 


Phillips,  Willard  371 
Phillips,  William  (124),  (125),  (126) 

Phipps,  Samuel  463 

Pickens,  John  (65) 

Pickman,  Benjamin,  Jr.  (66) 

Pickman,  Clarke  Gayton  (66) 

Pickman,  William  14 

Pickman,  William  D.  653 

Pierce,  Samuel  S.  654 

Plummer,  Farnham  358 

Pope,  Thomas  B.  (82) 

Porter,  Jonathan  246 

Pratt,  George  464 

Pratt,  Sarah  P.  298 

Pratt,  William  (17!) 

Pratt,  William  (298) 

Preble,  Eben  (37) 

Prescott,  Samuel  J.  ('23) 

Prescott,  William  (76) 
Prescott,  William  Hickling   76, 655 

Prince,  John,  Jr.  (38) 

Putnam,  Jesse  146 

Putnam,  Oliver  (26) 
Putnam,  Samuel  R.           227,  (308) 


Quincy,  Josiah  4,  (5),  (6) 

Q,uiney,  Josiah,  Jr.        5,  402,  (656) 
Q,uincy,  Josiah  P.  656 


R. 


Rand,  Edward  Sprague  24 

Randall,  Elizabeth  235 

Randall,  John  (235),  (254) 
Read,  James  & 

Christopher  C.  Chadwick         657 

Redman,  John  (263) 

Reed,  Benjamin  T.  438 

Reed,  Caleb  143 

Reed,  Ralph  I.  (10.5) 

Reed,  Sampson  363 

Revere,  Joseph  W.  93 

Reynolds,  Edward  (212) 

Rice,  Henry  (1 15) 

Rice,  Henry  A.  708 

Rice,  Henry  Gardner  (104),  1 12 

Rice,  John  P.  (61),  (232) 

Rice,  Lewis  658 

Rice,  Samuel  B.  ("2) 

Rich,  Benjamin  (72) 

Rich,  Benjamin,  Jr.  (72) 

Rich,  Samuel  H.  (72) 

Richards,  Francis  30,  99 


ALPHABETICAL  LIST   OF  PROPRIETORS. 


261 


Richards,  John 
Richards,  John,  Jr. 
Richards,  Reuben,  Jr. 
Richardson,  Jeflrey 
Richardson,  Jesse  P. 
Richardson,  William 
Robbins,  Chandler 
Robbins,  Edward  H. 
Robbins,  James  Murray 
Roby,  Henry 
Rogers,  Henry  Bromfield 
Rollins,  Ebenezer 
Rollins,  William 
Ropes,  William 
Russell,  Benjamin 
Russell,  George  Robert 
Russell,  Le  Baron 
Ruthven,  Helen 


S. 


(30) 

(99) 

188 

17,  382 

(103) 

247 

(277) 

3a5 

177 

145 

68,  659 

166 

331 

(245),  660 

203 

341 

58 

(249) 


Salisbury,  Edward  Elbridge  52 

Salisbury,  Josiah  (52) 

Salisbury,  Nancy  81 

Salisbury,  Samuel  (48),  (52) 

Salisbury,  Samuel,  Jr.  (81) 

Sampson,  George  R.  467,  661 

Sargent,  Mrs.  C.  K.  (28) 

Sargent,  Daniel  (II) 

Sargent,  Howard  (28) 

Sargent,  Ignatius  472 

Sargent,  Lucius  Manlius  377 

Savage,  James  486 

Sawyer,  Matthias  Plant  236,  474 

Sawyer,  Micajah  (73) 

Sawyer,  Thomas  73 

Sawyer,  William  45,  662 

Sayles,  Maria  F.  346 

Sayles,  Wiliard  (346) 

Scholtield,  Arthur  18 

Searle,  George  (103),  (130) 

Sears,  David  78,  663 

Sears,  David,  Jr.  493 

Sears,  Frederic  495 

Sears,  Joshua  336 

Sears,  Winthrop  497 

Seaver,  Benjamin  374 

Shatluck,   George   C.  109,    (664), 

[(665),  (666),  (667) 

Shattuck,  George  C,  Jr.  269 

Shattuck,  Lemuel  144 

Shaw,  Charles  B.  332 

Shaw,  Francis  George  424 

Shaw,  G.  Howland  468,  663 

Shaw,  Lemuel  489 

Shaw,  Q,uincy  A.  716 


Shaw,  Robert  G.    175,  (424),  (451)» 
(463),  669,  670,  (671) 
Shaw,  Robert  Gould,  Jr.       451,672 
Shaw,  William  Smith       (44),  (103) 

Shelton,  Philo  S.  "  471 

Shepherd,  R.  D.  (I16> 

Shervvin,  Thomas  (226) 

Shurtleff,  Samuel  Atwood  2U8 

Sigourney,  Henry  243 

Simmons,  J.  &  Son  483 
Simpson,  Michael  H.           485,  673 

Skinner,  Francis  8,  674 

Skinner,  Francis  and  Co.  (469) 

Slade,  Jarvis  675 

Sleeper,  Jacob  301 

Smith,  James  W.  473 

Smith,  Jerome  V.  C.  294 

Snelling,  Nathaniel  G.  (109) 

Sohier,  William  Davies  178 

Soule,  Richard  676 

Sprague,  Charles  387 

Spring,  Marshall  Binney  168 

Stanwood,  Lemuel  67 

Stanton,  Francis  (IS^^) 

Stearns,  John  420 

Stevens,  John  H2 

Stevens,  Paran  677 

Stevenson,  J.  Thomas  678 

Stickney,  Josiah  470 

Stimson,  Caleb  (57) 

Stimson,  Caleb  Morton  57 
Stoddard,  Charles  & 

J.  S.  Levering  441 

Stone,  Henry  B.  (303) 

Stone,  William  W.  3l2 

Storer,  Robert  B.  308 

Storrow,  Charles  Storer  350 

Storrow,  Thomas  W.  (18) 
Story,  Franklin  Howard,  Jr.        139 

Strong,  Woodbridge  2l3 

Sturgis,  Henry  P.  679 

Sturgis,  Nathaniel  R.  (56) 
Sturgis,  Russell  11,  (56),  (95) 
Sturgis,  William                 155,  f680) 

Sullivan,  George  (29) 

Sullivan,  Richard  119 

Sullivan,  William  (241) 

Sumner,  Charles  295 

Swett,  Elizabeth  B.  36 

Swett,  Samuel  201 

Swett,  Samuel  W.  (H) 

Swett,  Tasker  H.  (36) 


Tappan,  John 


173 


262 


ALPHABETICAL   LIST   OF  PROPRIETORS. 


Tappan,  Lewis 
Tappan,  Luwis  W. 
Taylor,  Cliarles 
Taylor  William 
Tliaclier,  Cliarles 
TJiacher,  Peter  O. 
Tiiaxter,  Adam  W. 


(i:U) 

484,  (i81 

94 

(75) 

I 

(19) 

476 


Thayer,  Jolin  E.        250,  477,  (682) 
Thayer,  Nathaniel  683 

Thomas,  Isaiah  (62) 

Thomas,  William  391,684 

Thorndike,  Augustus  162 

Thorndike,  Charles  (161) 

Thorndike,  Ciieorge  Quincy         323 
Thorndike,  Israel  (170),  (258) 

Thorndike,  John  P.  (323) 

Ticknor,  George  142 

Tidd,  Jacob  (18) 

Tilden,  Joseph  53 

Timmins,  Henry  478 

Torrey,  Charles      (59),  (66),  (186), 
[685 
Torrey,  Samuel  (20),  187 

Touro,  Abraham  (94) 

Tower,  David  B.  (181) 

Townsend,  Solomon  Davis  234 

Train,  Enoch  682 

Trull,  John  W.  (318) 

Tucker,  John  L.  (475) 

Tucker,  Richard  D.  (139) 

Tuckerinan,  Edward,  Jr.  (41) 

Tuckerman.  Edward,  Jr.  41 

Tuckerman,  Gustavus  (124) 

Tuckerman,  Henry  H.  (124),  (127) 
Tuckerman,  William  S.  90 

Tudor,  Frederic  62,  686 

Turner,  Otis  556 

Tuttle,  James  353 

Tyler,  William  C.  (110) 


U. 


Underwood,  William  687 

Upham,  Phineas  283 

Upton,  George  B.  84 


W. 

Wainwright,  Benjamin  G.  (358) 

Waldo,  Henry  Sidney  306 

Waldron,  Samuel  W.  (144) 
Wales,  Thomas  Beale   46,  265,  688 

Walley,  Samuel  H.  (125) 

Walker,  William  Johnson  (232) 

Ward,  Artemas  (174) 


I  Ward,  George  Cabot  271 

Ward,  Henry  Artemas  174 

Ward,  John  Gallison  270 

Ward,  Samuel  G.  689 

,  Ward,  Thomas  W.  154,  (270),  (271), 

[690 
Ware,  Charles  Eliot  450 

Ware,  John  209 

Warren,  Edward  70 

Warren,  George  W.  (24),  170,  691 
Warren,  John  (70) 

Warien,  John  Collins  231,  479 

Washburn,  William  664 

Waterston,  Robert  249 

Watson,  Benjamin  M.  (61),  (103) 
Webster,  Daniel  204 

AVelch,  John  Hunt  318 

Weld,  Aaron  D.  692 

Weld,  Benjamin  (69) 

Weld,  William  F.  693 

Welles,  Arnold  125,  455 

Welles,  John  (125),  480,  (481),  694 
Welles,  Samuel  (100) 

Weston,  Alden  Bradford  165,  (695) 
Weston,  Ezra  695 

Wetmore,  Thomas  313 

Wheelwright,  Charles  H.  (184) 

Wheelwright,  Lot  (184) 

Wheelwright,  William  W.  (184) 
White,  Benjamin  F.  (117),  (180) 
Whiting,  Nathaniel  419 

Whiting,  William  373 

Whitmore,  Charles  O.  696 

Whitney,  Asa  (136) 

Whitney,  Benjamin  Duick  136 

Whitney,  David  R.  697 

Whitney,  George  A.  381 

Whitney,  Joseph  337 

Whitney,  Josiah  D.  196 

Whitney,  Moses  (198) 

Whitney,  Warren  J.  (198) 

Whitney,  William  F.  343 

Whittemore,  Thomas  J.  (226) 

Whitwell,  Benjamin  (117) 

Whitwell,  Bond,  &  Co.  (115) 

Whitwell,  Samuel  117,  (180) 

Whitwell,  William  (113) 

Wiggin,  Benjamin  (198) 

Wiggleswortli,  Edward  133,(598 
Wigglesworth,  Thomas  108,  (133) 
Wild,  Charles  229 

Wild,  James  C.  699 

Wildes,  Solomon  700 

Wilkins,  Charles  701 

Wilkins,  John  H.  702 

Williams,  David  W.  320,  (321),  703 
Williams,  Francis  H.  (122) 


ALPHABETICAL   LIST    OF  PROPRIETORS. 


263 


Williams,  G.  Foster 
Williams,  Horace  H. 
Williams,  John 
Williams,  John  D. 

Williams,  John  D.  W. 
Williams,  John  E. 
Williams,  Moses  B. 
Williams,  Samuel  G.  ( 
Williams,  Samuel  K. 
Williams,  Susanna 
Williams,  Timothy 
Williams,  Thomas 
Willis,  Benjamin 
Willis,  Hamilton  & 
Lucian  Skinner 


185,  704 

(172) 

(178) 

(185),  (319), 

[(320),  (321 ) 

319 

705 

482 

18),(24),(118) 

475 

172 

(43) 

(122) 

242 

706 


Winchester,  William  P.       171,  707 
Wing,  Benjamin  F.  449 

Winslow,  Isaac  158 

Winslow,  John  D.  (87) 

Winthrop,  Thomas  L.  (42) 

Wolcott,  Joshua  H.  43,  (295),  (708) 
Wormeley,  Ralph  R.  (37) 

Wright  Hartley  Hezekiah  65 

Wright,  John  S.  354 

Wyman,  Jeffries  140 

Wyman,  Rufus  (140) 


Young,  Ammi  Burnham  233 


LIST    OF    LIFE    SUBSCRIBERS 

TO  THE  END  OF  THE  YEAR  1830. 


N.  B.  This  list  embraces  the  names  (in  Italics)  of  aU  the  members  of  the  Anthology 
Chib  except  Arthur  May7iard  Waller,  who  died  before  the  incorporation  of  the  Athe- 
n:eum.  Tbey  tiecame  eatitled  to  Life-shares  by  a  vole  of  llie  Proprietors,  passed  in  1807. 


Alden,  Timothy 

Bigdow,  Jacob 

Boott,  Kirk 

Brimmer,  George  Watson 

Bucliminstcr,  Joseph  Stevens 

Burrouglis,  Charles 

Cabot,  Frederick 

Clap,  Elisha 

Codman,  John 

Colman,  Henry 

Dana,  Edmund  Trowbridge 

Dana,  Samuel  Luther 

Danforth,  Blowers 

Eaton,  Asa 

Emerson,  Ralph  Waldo 

Emerson,  fyHliam 

Everett,  Alexander  Hill 

Field,  Robert 

Freeman,  James 

Frothingham,  Nathaniel  Langdon 

Foster,  Leonard 

Gardiner,  John  Sylvester  John 

Gardiner,  Robert  HalloiccU 

Gore,  Christopher 

Gorham,  John 

Gray,  Thomas 

Greene,  Benjamin  Daniel 

Greenwood,  Francis  William  Pitt 

Harris,  Thaddeus  Mason 

Head,  Joseph,  Jr. 

Holmes,  Abiel 

Jackson,  Charles 

Jackson,  James 

Kirkland,  John  Thornton 

Loweil,  Edward  Jackson 


Lowell,  Francis  Cabot 
Lyman,  William 
McKean,  Joseph 
McKean,  Joseph  William 
Mansfield,  Isaac 
Moody,  David 
Moody,  David  J, 
Moody,  Paul 
JVorton,  Andrews 
Parkman,  Francis 
Payne,  VVilliam  Edward 
Pickering,  Octavius 
Pierce,  John 
Porter,  Eliphalet 
Ritchie,  Andrew 
Sales,  Francis 
Sargent,  (Vinthrop 
Savage,  James 
Shaw,  JVilliam  Smith 
Smith,  Isaac 
Stichney,  John 
Stuart,  Gilbert 
Tappan,  Charles 
Thacher,  Peter  Oxenbridge 

Thacher,  Samuel  Cooper 
Thorndike,  Israel 

Tichnor,  George 

Tuckcrman,  Joseph 

Tudor,  William,  Jr. 

Warren,  John  Collins 

Welles,  Benjamin 

Wells,  William 

Willard,  Sidney 

Willard,  Solomon 


BIOGRAPHICAL   NOTICES 


FOUNDERS  OF  THE  BOSTON  ATHENi^UM, 


JOHN  SYLVESTER  JOHN  GARDINER 


John  Sylvester  John  Gardiner  was  descended  from 
one  of  the  early  settlers  of  New  England,  and  was  of  a  fam- 
ily highly  respectable  and  prosperous.  His  great-grand- 
father was  a  lawyer  in  Rhode  Island,  and  united  to  the  prac- 
tice of  his  profession  the  cultivation  of  a  farm ;  —  a  union 
which,  during  the  colonial  period,  the  narrow  sphere  of  the 
business  of  the  bar  and  the  scantiness  of  professional  remu- 
neration rendered  expedient  and  not  uncommon. 

His  grandfather,  Sylvester  Gardiner,  manifested,  while 
yet  a  youth,  an  ardent  desire  for  the  study  of  medicine. 
On  his  attainment  of  manhood,  being  impressed  with  the  low 
state  of  that  science  in  the  Colony,  his  desire  to  have  the 
advantage  of  professional  education  in  Europe  became  in- 
tense ;  and  he  proposed  to  his  father,  on  whose  limited  re- 
sources a  large  family  heavily  pressed,  to  relinquish  all  fu- 
ture claims  on  the  paternal  estate  in  favor  of  his  brothers 
and  sisters,  if  the  requisite  funds  for  prosecuting  his  studies 
in  Paris  were  immediately  advanced.  On  these  terms  his 
request  was  granted  ;  and,  after  faithfully  availing  himself 
of  the  privilege,  he  returned  to  America  with  a  degree  of 
professional  knowledge  unexampled  at  that  period.     The 


4  BIOGRAPHICAL  NOTICES. 

advantages  he  thus  enjoyed,  united  to  a  powerful  mind  de- 
voted to  his  profession,  soon  introduced  him  to  an  exten- 
sive practice  in  Boston.  He  thus  acquired  great  wealth, 
which  he  increased  by  wise  investments ;  and  although,  as  he 
was  a  loyahst  and  refugee,  a  great  proportion  of  his  property 
was  confiscated  at  the  crisis  of  the  American  Revolution, 
enough  remained  to  enable  him  to  make  in  his  will  a  hand- 
some provision  for  his  descendants. 

Being  an  early  proprietor  in  the  Kennebec  Purchase, 
he  received,  as  a  portion  of  his  interest  in  it,  a  special 
property  in  that  township  which  now  bears  the  name  of 
Gardiner.  There,  and  elsewhere  in  Maine,  he  erected 
mills  and  farm-houses,  and  made  great  expenditures  for  the 
improvement  of  that  part  of  the  country.  This  township 
afterward  became,  by  virtue  of  his  will,  the  property  of  Rob- 
ert Hallowell  Gardiner,  who  now  resides  in  it,  respected  and 
honored  for  his  virtues  and  usefulness,  and  who  was  also  an 
early  elected  member  of  the  Anthology  Club,*  and  one  of  its 
active  and  efficient  members. 

John,  the  eldest  son  of  Dr.  Sylvester  Gardiner,  was  in 
early  hfe  sent  to  England  for  his  education.  Whilst  study- 
ing in  the  Temple  he  formed  an  acquaintance  with  Lord 
Mansfield,  with  whom  he  became  a  favorite  ;  and,  with  the 
assurance  of  his  patronage,  he  commenced  the  practice  of 
the  law  with  every  prospect  of  rising  in  England,  in  his  pro- 
fession, —  uniting,  as  he  did,  to  the  qualifications  of  a  clas- 
sical scholar,  a  strong  mind,  a  retentive  memory,  and  great 
professional  assiduity.  But,  eccentric  in  character,  fearless 
and  independent  in  action,  he  took  the  Whig  side,  and,  to 
the  surprise  of  Lord  Mansfield,  appeared  as  junior  counsel 
in  the  famous  trial  of  Wilkes,  and  argued,  to  general  sat- 
isfaction, the  defence  of  Mr.  Beardmore  and  Mr.  Mere- 
dith, who,  for  writings  in  support  of  Wilkes,  had  been  im- 

*  See  ante,  p.  5. 


JOHN  SYLVESTER  JOHN  GARDINER.         5 

prisoned  on  a  general  warrant.*  His  zeal  on  this  occasion 
put  an  end  to  all  hopes  of  his  rising  in  that  country  by 
court  or  Tory  influence. 

While  in  England,  he  married  a  lady  of  a  Welsh  family 
by  the  name  of  Harris.  Their  eldest  son,  the  subject  of 
this  memoir,  was  born  in  June,  1765,  at  Haverford  West,  ui 
South  Wales.  Soon  after  this  event,  Mr.  Gardiner,  having 
received  the  appointment  of  Attorney-General  in  the  Island 
of  St.  Christopher,  removed  his  family  to  the  West  Indies, 
from  whence  he  sent  his  son  to  Boston  for  his  education. 
Here  he  remained  until  the  commencement  of  the  American 
Revolution,  when  he  returned  to  his  father  in  the  West  In- 
dies, and  by  him  was  transferred  to  England,  and  placed,  in 
September,  1776,  under  the  tuition  and  in  the  family  of  that 
celebrated  classical  scholar.  Dr.  Samuel  Parr.  Under  his 
care  young  Gardiner  remained  more  than  six  years,  when 
he  rejoined  his  father  in  the  West  Indies,  and  removed  with 
him,  in  1783,  to  Boston. 

Having  been  destined  by  his  father  for  the  bar,  his  first 
professional  studies  took  that  direction.  Circumstances, 
however,  soon  concurring  with  his  own  inclinations,  he  en- 
tered upon  a  course  of  theological  preparation,  was,  in 
1787,  ordained  in  New  York  by  Bishop  Provost,  and  soon 

*  "  At  Guildhall,  before  Chief  Justice  Pratt,  subsequently  Lord  Camden, 
after  a  trial  which  lasted  several  hours,  a  verdict  was  given  for  Mr.  Beard- 
more  with  £  1,000  damages,  and  another  for  Mr.  Meredith,  his  clerk,  for  £200 
damages  against  the  Earl  of  Halifax  and  the  king's  messengers."  —  North 
Briton,  No.  12L 

In  reference  to  Mr.  Gardiner's  aid  on  these  trials,  there  now  remains  in  the 
possession  of  William  H.  Gardiner,  his  grandson,  a  valuable  and  beautiful  piece 
of  plate,  bearing  the  following  inscription  :  — 

"  Pro  libertate  semper  strenuus. 
"  To  John  Gardiner,  Esq.,  this  waiter  is  presented  by  Arthur  Beardmore,  as  a 
small  token  of  gratitude  for  pleading  his  cause,  and  that  of  his  clerk,  David 
Meredith,  against  the  Earl  of  Halifax,  then  Secretary  of  State,  for  false  im- 
prisonment under  his  warrant,  commonly  called  a  Secretary  of  State's  warrant, 
that  Canker  of  English  Liberty.  — 1766." 


6  BIOGRAPHICAL  NOTICES. 

after  commenced  his  labors  in  the  Episcopal  Church  at 
Beaufort,  in  South  Carolina. 

The  climate  not  suiting  his  constitution,  he  accepted,  in 
the  year  1792,  the  office  of  Assistant  Minister  at  Trmity 
Church  in  Boston,  on  the  Greene  foundation,  and  retained 
it  till  the  year  1805,  when,  on  the  death  of  Bishop  Parker, 
he  was  unanimously  elected  Rector  of  that  church. 

On  his  marriage,  in  1794,  finding  the  income  of  the 
Greene  foundation  insufficient  to  supply  the  wants  of  his 
family,  he  opened  a  school  for  classical  instruction,  chiefly 
in  the  Greek  and  Latin  languages.  The  uncommon  advan- 
tages of  his  education,  and  his  well-known  taste  and  acquire- 
ments, excited  expectations  in  the  pubHc  mind,  which  the 
result  more  than  fulfilled.  His  school  soon  became  large, 
and  sustained  a  high  reputation  during  the  whole  period  of 
its  continuance.  His  system  of  instruction,  being  mod- 
elled on  that  of  Dr.  Parr,  was  exact  and  critical.  His  pu- 
pils were  made  to  understand  and  feel  the  beauties  of  the 
ancient  classics.  Composition  in  both  Latin  and  Enghsh, 
reading,  and  declamation  were  taught  systematically.  The 
benefit  of  a  classical  school  on  the  English  model,  severe 
and  methodical,  was  realized,  and  its  influence  was  felt  in 
other  schools  of  the  Commonwealth  and  in  our  colleges. 
During  the  Revolutionary  War,  classical  learning  had  de- 
clined, and  it  was  now  at  a  low  ebb.  His  school,  and 
the  spirit  in  which  it  was  conducted,  gave  an  impetus  to 
these  branches,  which  was  perceived  in  the  greater  thor- 
oughness of  preparation  for  the  colleges,  and  gradually  in 
higher  requisitions  for  admission  into  them. 

After  accepting  the  rectorship  of  Trinity  Church,  he  dis- 
continued his  school ;  but,  yielding  to  the  urgency  of  par- 
ents, he  resumed  the  instruction  of  a  small  and  select  num- 
ber of  pupils.  As  an  evidence  of  his  familiarity  with  the 
ancient  classics,  and  the  all-absorbing  delight  with  which,  at 


JOHN  SYLVESTER  JOHN  GARDINER.  7 

every  period,  he  kept  alive  his  acquaintance  with  them,  two 
facts  deserve,  in  this  place,  to  be  recorded.  The  first  ap- 
pears by  the  journal  of  his  studies,  in  his  own  handwriting. 
In  the  course  of  the  first  year  after  he  left  Dr.  Parr's  school, 
being  then  only  nineteen  years  of  age,  he  read  "  Virgil, 
Sallust,  Velleius  Paterculus,  Valerius  Maximus,  Tacitus, 
Suetonius,  Quintus  Curtius,  Justin,  Florus,  Plautus,  Terence, 
Lucretius,  Memoirs  of  the  Academy  of  Inscriptions  (twenty 
volumes).  Homer  and  his  Life,  D'Alembert's  Melanges." 
And  in  the  last  year  of  his  life,  when  his  frame  was  sink- 
ing under  the  disorder  which  terminated  it,  he  carefully 
read  the  forty-eight  books  of  the  Iliad  and  Odyssey  in  the 
original,  without  the  aid  of  a  lexicon  or  Enghsh  version. 
His  familiarity  with  the  Latin  tongue  was  still  more  perfect ; 
and  it  may  be  doubted  if  he  left  an  equal,  in  this  respect, 
behind  him  in  the  United  States.  The  subjoined  tribute  to 
the  memory  of  his  grandfather.  Dr.  Sylvester  Gardiner, 
which  is  inscribed  on  a  marble  monument  erected  in  the 
Episcopal  Church  in  Gardiner,  Maine,  is  from  his  pen,  and 
is  one  of  the  few  remaining  specimens  of  his  fehcity  and 
power  in  the  use  of  the  Latin  language.* 

*  Sacrum  Memoriaj 

SYLVESTRI  GARDINER, 

Qui  natus,  baud  obscuro  genere,  in  insula  Rhodi, 

Studuit  Parisiis,  et  Bostonise  diu  medicinam  feliciter 

Exercuit.    Postquam  satis  opum  paravisset, 

Navavit  operam  ad  domandam  ornandamque 

Hanc  orientalem  regionem,  tunc  incultam. 

Hie  sylvas  lat6  patentes  evertit,  molas  omnigenas 

iEdificavit,  omnia  rura  permultis  tuguriis  ornavit, 

Templum  Deo  erexit, 

Atque  haec  loca  habitantibus  pater-patriae  dici 

Profect5  meruit. 

Vir  acerrimo  ingenio,  medicus  sciens, 

Maritus  fidelis,  pius  in  liberos, 

In  obeundis  negotiis  vigilans,  sagax,  indefessus, 

Integer  vitae,  in  eacris  Uteris  doctus, 

Christianae  fidei  omnino  addictus, 


8  BIOGRAPHICAL   NOTICES. 

These  general  relations  to  society  he  sustained  during  the 
remainder  of  his  Ufe,  performing  both  his  public  and  paro- 
chial duties  with  exemplary  punctuality ;  and  enjoying  the 
pleasures  of  the  domestic  and  social  circles,  of  wliich  he 
was  an  ornament  and  a  favorite.  His  character  as  a  cler- 
gyman and  a  scholar  was  highly  appreciated  by  his  contem- 
poraries. In  1803,  Harvard  College  conferred  upon  him 
the  degree  of  Master  of  Arts,  and  in  1813  the  University 
of  Pennsylvania  that  of  Doctor  in  Divinity.  His  thorough 
acquaintance  with  Greek,  Latin,  and  Enghsh  infused  a  re- 
fined and  classical  spirit  into  his  thoughts  and  studies,  con- 
stituting his  delight  in  manhood  and  his  solace  in  his  advan- 
cing years.  The  historians,  the  poets,  and  the  philosophers 
of  each  language  were  his  constant  companions  in  the  hours 
not  devoted  to  social  or  professional  duties. 

After  the  enjoyment  of  a  long  Hfe  of  almost  uninterrupt- 
ed health,  in  the  year  1827  his  constitution  began  gradually 
to  fail.  By  the  advice  of  his  physicians,  he  sailed  for  Eng- 
land, accompanied  only  by  his  wife  and  oldest  daughter ; 
and  at  Harrowgate,  where  he  had  resorted  for  the  benefit 
of  its  mineral  waters,  he  died,  in  July,  1830,  in  the  sixty- 
fifth  year  of  his  age. 

Exemplary  in  the  fulfilment  of  the  duties  of  husband, 
father,  and  friend,  to  the  domestic  and  social  circles  his 
death  was  severely  afilictive.  By  his  church  he  was  lar 
mented  as  a  faithful  pastor,  an  eloquent  preacher,  and  an 


Ecclesia>que  Anglicans  observantissimus, 

Mortuus  est  in  insula  Rhodi, 

Anno  Domini  MDCCLXXXVI.,  fetalis  LXXIX. 

Ut  viri  de  Ecclesia  deque  Republica  optima  meriti 

Memoriam  commendaret  posteris,  sureque  insuper 

Erga  avum  venerandum  pielatis  monumentum  extaret, 

Honorarium  hoc  marmor  erexit 

Nepos  haeresque, 
Robertas  Hallowell  Gardiner. 


JOHN   SYLVESTER  JOHN    GARDINER.  9 

assiduous  benefactor.  Having  felt  the  restriction  conse- 
quent upon  the  insufficiency  of  the  Greene  Fund  for  the 
support  of  an  Assistant  Minister,  he  assumed  all  the  du- 
ties of  the  church,  both  pulpit  and  pastoral,  for  a  period 
of  twenty  years,  and  thus  accumulated  the  income  for  the 
benefit  of  the  foundation  till  it  was  adequate  to  the 
support  of  a  successor.  As  a  preacher,  his  discourses, 
wrought  by  a  classical  model,  were  direct,  practical,  unpre- 
tending. Avoiding  controversy,  he  upheld  the  doctrines 
and  order  of  his  church  with  earnestness.  Liberal  in  re- 
spect to  the  opinions  of  others,  he  claimed  reciprocity  for  his 
own.  For  cant  or  fanaticism  he  had  neither  sympathy  nor 
respect.  As  a  reader  he  was  admired,  and  his  delivery 
partook  of  the  character  of  his  mind,  —  simple,  graceful, 
and  effective. 

Such  talents  and  acquirements  naturally  gave  him  a  dis- 
tinguished rank  among  the  scholars  of  the  period.  And  he 
was  one  of  the  first  among  those  who  associated  themselves 
for  the  purpose  of  estabhshing  the  Anthology  Club.  His 
age  and  acquirements  constituted  an  unquestionable  title  to 
the  rank  of  its  President,  to  which  office  he  was  unanimously 
elected  from  its  commencement  to  his  withdrawal  from  the 
Society  in  1810.  His  influence  on  all  the  measures  of  that 
Society  was  direct  and,  in  a  degree,  conclusive.  Its  first 
meeting  was  held  at  his  house,  on  the  3d  of  October,  1805. 
Again,  at  a  meeting  at  his  house,  on  the  23d  of  the  same 
month,  the  plan  for  establishing  "  a  hbrary  of  periodical  pub- 
lications "  was  debated  and  adopted.  He  first  commenced 
a  voluntary  contribution  to  it,  by  a  donation  of  a  complete 
set  of  the  Gentleman's  Magazine,  amounting  to  sixty  or  sev- 
enty volumes.  When,  on  the  motion  of  William  Smith  Shaw, 
the  estabhshment  of  a  public  hbrary  and  reading-room  came 
under  debate  in  the  Society,  he  was  chairman  of  the  com- 
mittee to  whom  the  subject  was  referred ;  and  again,  at  his 


10  BIOGRAPHICAL   NOTICES. 

house,  a  favorable  report  of  that  committee  was  made,  and 
the  plan  was  adopted,  which,  beiiig  carried  into  effect, 
finally  expanded  into  the  Boston  Athenaeum. 

To  the  "  Anthology,"  he  was  a  frequent  and  efficient  con- 
tributor. To  the  chaste  severity  of  his  criticism  is  to  be 
attributed  much  of  the  high  literary  character,  which  that 
pubhcation  attained.  Possessing  a  lively  wit,  which  oc- 
casionally could  indulge  in  playful  sarcasm,  he  permitted 
nothing  to  receive  the  sanction  of  the  Society,  wliile  he  pre- 
sided, without  strict  and  searching  animadversion.  To  his 
opinion  on  points  of  literary  criticism,  the  other  members, 
respecting  both  his  comparative  age  and  the  uncommon 
advantages  of  education  he  had  enjoyed,  naturally  deferred, 
and  in  all  their  decisions  they  yielded  to  him  a  leading, 
if  not  decisive,  influence.  "  He  was,"  said  a  surviving 
member  of  the  Anthology  Club,*  "  the  hfe  and  soul  of  the 
Society."  Indeed,  it  could  not  be  otherwise ;  for  his 
acquaintance  with  the  Greek,  Latin,  and  EngHsh  classics 
was  extensive,  his  memory  retentive.  Ids  power  of  quota- 
tion fehcitous  ;  and  neither  ready  wit  nor  keen  satire  was 
ever  wanting  to  give  interest  to  his  conversation,  and  point 
to  his  arguments  in  debate. 

*  Robert  H.  Gardiner,  Esq. 


WILLIAM    EMERSON. 


William  Emerson  was  bom  at  Concord,  Massachusetts, 
in  May,  1769,  was  graduated  at  Harvard  College  in  1789, 
ordained  over  the  church  in  Harvard  in  1792,  installed 
over  the  First  Church  in  Boston  in  1799,  and  died  in  1811, 
in  the  forty-third  year  of  his  age. 

As  a  clergyman  and  a  scholar,  the  course  of  his  life  was 
uniform  and  regular,  furnishing  few  materials  for  biogra- 
phy. His  father  died  when  he  was  seven  years  of  age ; 
but,  under  the  care  of  an  excellent  mother,  his  education  was 
judicious,  and  his  talents  were  wisely  and  happily  developed. 
At  college,  his  habits  of  industry  became  fixed,  and  he  left 
the  seminary  with  a  reputation  for  talents,  learning,  and 
virtue.  In  youth  and  in  manhood  he  was  distinguished  for 
purity  of  mind,  elevation  of  principle,  tenderness  of  con- 
science, and  devoutness  of  feeling. 

As  a  divine,  he  was  dihgent  and  zealous  ;  in  his  pastoral 
duties,  assiduous  and  exact.  His  exemplary  fidelity  in  ful- 
filling them  secured  for  him  private  affection  and  public 
esteem.  The  sweetness  of  his  demeanour,  being  attended 
with  general  courtesy,  became  a  ready  passport  to  the  heart. 
He  was,  consequently,  one  of  the  most  beloved  and  popular 
clergymen  of  the  metropolis. 


12  BIOGRAPHICAL    NOTICES. 

At  that  period,  the  superintendence  of  literary  and  char- 
itable institutions  in  Boston  chiefly  devolved  upon  the  clergy. 
In  most  of  these,  Mr.  Emerson  was  intrusted  with  some  im- 
portant office.  His  methodical  strictness  in  the  distribution 
of  his  time,  his  exemplary  punctuality  in  all  his  engage- 
ments, and  the  fideUty  with  which  he  executed  every  trust, 
made  his  talents  and  services  the  subject  of  frequent  requi- 
sition, wliich  his  love  of  labor  and  usefulness  seldom  per- 
mitted him  to  decline. 

To  the  "  Monthly  Anthology  "  he  was  one  of  the  earhest 
contributors ;  and  of  the  Society,  which  was  formed  in  its 
name  and  for  its  support,  he  was  one  of  the  earliest  mem- 
bers, and  the  first  Vice-president,  often  acting  as  editor  of 
the  work,  and  devoting  himself  with  zeal  and  laborious  fidel- 
ity to  the  advancement  of  its  character  and  interests.  On 
his  motion,  seconded  by  William  Smith  Shaw,  the  vote  to 
establish  a  library  of  periodical  publications  was  adopted  by 
the  Society ;  and  this  constituted  the  first  step  towards  the 
establishment  of  the  Boston  Athenasum. 

He  died  in  the  midst  of  his  usefulness  and  in  the  vigor  of 
manhood,  feelingly  lamented  by  the  pubKc,  intensely  by  his 
personal  and  literary  friends.* 

*  See  Buckminster's  "Sermon  delivered  at  the  Interment  of  the  Rev.  Wil- 
liam Emerson,"  Boston,  1811.  Also,  the  "Collections  of  the  Massachusetts 
Historical  Society,"  Second  Series,  Vol.  I.  p.  25-i. 


ARTHUR    MAYNARD    WALTER. 


The  talent,  attainments,  and  high  promise  of  Arthur 
Maynard  Walter  made  a  deep  impression  on  his  contempo- 
raries. Their  sorrow  for  his  early  loss,  at  the  age  of 
twenty-six  years,  was  deep  and  abiding,  and  is  fully  jus- 
tified by  the  evidences  yet  remaining  of  his  intellectual 
power  and  moral  worth. 

His  ancestors  were  all  of  the  stock  of  the  early  settlers 
of  New  England.  On  the  paternal  side,  he  was  grandson 
of  the  Rev.  Nathaniel  Walter,  for  many  years  a  distin- 
guished minister  of  Roxbury,  and  great-grandson  of  the 
Rev.  Increase  Mather,  one  of  the  most  eminent  names  in 
our  history ;  and,  on  the  maternal,  he  was  grandson  of  the 
Hon.  Benjamin  Lynde,  Chief  Justice  of  Massachusetts. 
For  many  years  antecedent  to  the  war  of  the  American 
Revolution,  his  father,  the  Rev.  WilUam  Walter,  D.  D.,  had 
been  Rector  of  Trinity  Church,  in  Boston.  Under  a  deep 
sense  of  the  obligation  of  his  ordination  oath  to  support  the 
king  and  his  country,  he  took  refuge  from  the  turbulent 
scenes  of  that  period,  first  in  New  York,  and  afterwards  at 
Shelburne  in  Nova  Scotia.  On  the  return  of  peace,  he 
accepted  the  office  of  Rector  of  Christ  Church  in  Boston. 

His  son,  Arthur  Maynard  Walter,  was  born  in  New  York, 
on  the  14th  of  November,  1780. 


14  BIOGRAPHICAL  NOTICES. 

Removing  -with  his  parents  to  Boston,  he  entered  the 
Latin  School  in  the  year  1791,  where  he  attained  its  high- 
est honors ;  the  silver  medal  awarded  him  still  remains  in 
his  family.  In  the  year  1794,  being  then  only  in  his  four- 
teenth year,  he  was  admitted  into  Harvard  College.  He 
was  there  also  distinguished  both  for  his  exemplary  conduct 
and  the  amount  of  his  Hterary  attainments ;  and  would  have 
graduated  in  the  year  1798,  with  high  honors,  had  not  a 
dissatisfaction  with  the  part  assigned  him  for  Commence- 
ment induced  him,  with  the  full  support  of  his  friends,  to 
refuse  to  perform  it.  His  degree  was,  in  consequence, 
withheld  ;  and  his  friends,  taking  up  his  connection  with 
that  institution,  transferred  him  to  Columbia  College  in  New 
York,  where  he  was  at  once  admitted,  on  receiving  from 
Harvard  College  a  certificate  of  good  moral  conduct  ;  and, 
after  a  year's  residence  as  a  student,  he  was  admitted  to  a 
degree  in  1799,  with  the  highest  honors  of  the  institution, 
and  with  the  reputation  of  being  one  of  its  most  distin- 
guished Alumni.  Returning  to  his  father's  house  in  Boston, 
he  entered,  as  a  law  student,  the  office  of  the  Hon.  Samuel 
Dexter. 

A  journal,  which  he  kept  from  early  life,  most  hon- 
orably indicates  his  ambition  for  literary  and  professional 
enunence,  its  intensity  and  correctness,  and,  above  all,  the 
deep-seated  piety  by  which  it  was  accompanied  and  puri- 
fied. Having  studied  the  usual  term  in  the  office  of  Mr. 
Dexter,  in  September,  1802,  he  thus  wrote  in  his  jour- 
nal :  —  '•'  My  studies  in  the  law  offices  are  now  finished. 
I  have  read  three  years,  I  hope  not  unprofitably,  and 
this  coming  October  I  should  have  been  admitted  into 
our  Court  of  Common  Pleas ;  but  my  property  is  sufficient 
to  bear  my  expenses  in  a  Southern  journey  to  Washington 
and  other  cities  in  other  States,  as  well  as  to  Europe.  I 
shall  go  to  London.     I  am  to  provide  a  law  library,  which 


ARTHUR   MAYNARD   WALTER.  15 

is  indispensably  necessary  ;  and  I  also  intend  to  procure  a 
good  scientific  and  literary  collection  for  my  hours  of  va- 
riation of  study.  I  shall  have  to  see  mankind  in  new  situ- 
ations, to  improve  my  mind  in  the  numerous  scenes  to 
■which  I  shall  be  a  party  ;  and,  under  the  guidance  of 
Heaven,  I  hope  my  time  will  not  be  lost,  as  it  regards 
either  the  acquisition  of  knowledge  or  the  improvement  of 
opinion."  Again,  in  a  subsequent  place,  he  writes :  —  "  Lit- 
erature is  my  object.  I  shall  buy  a  good  library  in  London. 
I  shall  expend  $  1,500  in  law  books  and  a  private,  choice 
collection.  I  mean  to  buy  the  corner-stones  of  learning. 
These  must  support  the  building ;  and  others,  gradually  at- 
tained, must  contribute  to  its  strength  and  beauty.  The 
gigantic  names  of  Cudworth,  Locke,  Milton,  Selden,  and  oth- 
ers, will  be  first  obtained,  and,  if  my  money  be  sufficient, 
my  library  will  not  be  small.  There  is  a  pathway  open  in 
this  country  to  a  goodly  land.  I  mean  to  offer  my  passport 
at  the  turnpike-gate.  I  mean  steadily  to  study  when  I  re- 
turn from  Europe.  Diligence  alone  can  add  greatness  to 
genius,  or  produce  respectability  when  talent  is  wanting. 
Nothing  can  supply  its  place.  Imagination,  without  the 
sense  acquired  by  industry  to  restrain  and  embellish  it,  is 
nothing  but  a  wUd  hippogriff,  that  plays  fantastically  in  the 
high  heavens  and  amuses  children  with  its  freaks  and  vaga- 
ries. And  what  is  wit  even,  unless  illuminated  by  knowledge  ? 
Acquii-ed  by  study,  indeed,  it  amuses  for  a  little  while,  but 
mere  wit  is  contemptible.  Its  coruscations  are  sparkling, 
perhaps  dazzling,  but  they  enlighten  not,  like  the  beams  of 
the  sun,  nor  do  they  please,  like  the  mildness  of  the  moon 
or  the  steady  lustre  of  the  planets.  All  knowledge  must 
be  acquired  from  books,  conversation,  or  reflections  upon 
human  nature.  Genius  may  quicken  progress,  give  an  en- 
ergy to  our  researches  ;  it  may  illuminate  what  is  obscure. 
But  to  know  what  have  been  the  collected  treasures  of  the 


16  BIOGRAPHICAL  NOTICES. 

old  countries,  to  investigate  our  nature  by  their  productions, 
to  measure  the  mind  by  the  stores  of"  intellect  which  former 
ages  have  furnished,  to  know  how  to  systematize  our  re- 
searches, how  to  direct  our  inquiries,  can  only  be  learned 
from  books  by  continued  perseverance  in  our  studies,  and 
by  indefatigable  diligence  in  exploring  what  has  been  dis- 
covered. Whilst  I  pursue  these  studies,  may  I  not  neglect 
that  rehgion,  which  is  the  pole-star  of  virtue.  I  hope  to 
live  as  becomes  a  man,  a  student,  and  a  scholar." 

These  private  records,  the  secret  outpourings  of  the 
mind  and  feeUngs  of  Mr.  Walter,  indicate  the  purity  and 
strength  of  that  love  of  excellence,  which  so  concentrated 
around  him  the  hopes  and  affections  of  his  friends  and  com- 
panions. 

In  November,  1802,  he  embarked  for  England ;  and, 
residing  several  months  in  London,  he  enjoyed  the  society 
and  companionship  of  many  young  men  from  the  United 
States  of  great  promise,  which  in  future  life  they  redeem- 
ed. Among  these  were  Washington  AUston,  Edmund 
T.  Dana,  Charles  Lowell,  Samuel  Welles,  and  Benjamin 
Welles.  With  these  friends  he  partook  largely  of  the  in- 
tellectual and  social  pleasures,  the  taste  for  which  a  resi- 
dence in  London  was  so  well  adapted  to  gratify. 

His  European  tour  occupied  two  years,  devoted  by  him 
to  self-improvement,  to  a  critical  examination  of  the  events 
and  characters  of  the  literary  and  political  world,  as  it  was 
then  passing  before  the  traveller's  vision,  and  to  the  acqui- 
sition of  five  or  six  languages  in  which  he  had  already  made 
some  progress.  His  journal  bears  uninterrupted  evidence 
of  the  justness  of  his  thoughts,  the  elevation  of  his  motives, 
and  the  purity  of  his  life,  of  which  religion  was  the  mov- 
ing principle  and  guide.  It  shows  that  he  had  already  col- 
lected materials  for  critical  remarks  upon  various  authors, 
and  for  a  series  of  periodical  essays,  and  had  submitted  to 


AETHUR  MAYNARD   WALTER.  IT 

his  friends  Dana  and  AUston  some  of  the  papers  he  had  pre- 
pared for  publication,  and  received  their  encouragement 
and  approbation. 

With  Joseph  Stevens  Buckminster,  William  Smith  Shaw, 
and  other  founders  of  the  Anthology  Club,  he  maintained 
the  strictest  intimacy  and  correspondence,  and  on  his  re- 
turn to  Boston,  in  1804,  entered  readily  into  schemes  of 
literary  labor  and  enterprise,  which  resulted,  in  1805,  in 
the  formation  of  that  Society  of  which  he  was,  during  his 
whole  life,  the  Secretary,  and  one  of  the  most  active  and 
laborious  members. 

In  all  the  arrangements  and  negotiations,  which  preceded 
and  followed  the  transfer  of  that  Society's  hbrary  and 
reading-room,  he  had  a  leading  influence,  and  he  took  a 
lively  interest  in  the  consequent  estabhshment  of  the  Bos- 
ton Athenaeum. 

He  at  the  same  time  commenced  his  professional  career 
with  high  hopes  and  commendable  ambition.  But  his  heart 
was  devoted  to  hterature,  and  was  ceaseless  in  its  yearnings 
to  accomplish  some  literary  work  "  worthy  of  a  man  and  a 
Christian."  About  this  time  he  wrote  to  a  friend,  —  "I 
have  various  things  to  learn  before  I  can  become  a  marked 
character,  either  political  or  hterary.  I  hope,  one  day,  to 
do  something  which  will  be  worthy  of  being  remembered. 
I  hope  that  the  great  Father  of  all  will  continue  to  give 
me  his  favor  of  health  and  competency.  I  could  hope  to 
extend  the  empire  of  morals  and  religion  by  some  work  of 
merit.  In  America,  letters  are  not  too  much  encouraged ; 
yet  perhaps  my  fortune  may  enable  me  to  print  my  own 
work.  I  have  ambition  and  perseverance  for  honor  and 
virtue.  The  latter  especially;  for  how  foolish  is  earthly 
greatness  in  comparison  with  the  rewards  of  religion  and 
virtue  !  "  But  his  aspirations  were  not  destined  to  be  real- 
ized, nor  was  he   long  permitted  to.  enjoy  the  success  of 


18  BIOGRAPHICAL  NOTICES. 

the  institution.  In  October,  1806,  the  symptoms  of  a  rapid 
consumption  appeared,  which  terminated  his  hfe  on  the  2d 
day  of  January,  1807,  when  he  had  just  entered  the  twenty- 
seventh  year  of  his  age. 

The  lamentations  on  his  death  were  deep  and  general. 
A  letter  from  Joseph  Stevens  Buckminster,  dated  Lon- 
don, the  22d  of  February,  1807,  evidences  the  strength 
of  his  affection  for  Walter,  and  his  affliction  at  the  ii-repar- 
able  loss  he  had  sustained  by  that  event. 

"  Burning  with  impatience,  I  open  my  letters  from  Amer- 
ica. They  tell  me  that  Walter  is  dead !  —  0,  dear,  dear 
fellow  !  have  I  lost  you  for  ever  ?  Alas  !  I  am  ashamed  of 
myself,  of  the  weakness  of  my  faith.  When  I  left  you  all, 
to  come  to  Europe,  the  parting  was  painful  in  the  extreme, 
but  continually  relieved  by  the  behef,  that  I  should  see  you 
all  again  after  some  time  of  absence.  I  ought  to  feel  that 
it  is  the  same  thing  now  with  respect  to  Walter.  My  ab- 
sence from  him  is  only  a  little  lengthened.  The  voyage  of 
my  life  will  not  be  very  long,  and  we  shall  embrace  again." 
"  My  dear  Shaw,  I  wish  I  was  with  you  to  give  vent  to  my 
sorrow.  I  cannot  do  it  on  paper.  It  is  a  cold,  idle,  slow 
method,  and,  instead  of  reUenng,  it  oppresses  me.  I  look 
to  the  great  promises  and  expectations  which  the  Gospel 
holds  out.  They  tell  me  I  shall  see  him  again  in  a  world 
more  worthy  of  his  noble,  pure,  pious  heart  than  this,  if  I 
shall  be  worthy  to  reach  that  world  myself.  But  the  great 
duty  is  to  resign  ourselves  to  the  loss,  till  we  meet  him 
again.  This  is  difficult.  Even  Jesus  wept  at  the  tomb  of 
Lazarus,  though  he  knew  that  his  power  could  restore  him 
again  to  life.  '  Behold  how  he  loved  him,'  said  the  Jews. 
We  surely  may  weep.  Alas !  we  may  go  to  him,  but  he 
cannot  return  to  us." 

In  the  same  affectionate  strain,  Mr.  Shaw  responds  in  a 
letter  dated  Boston,  May  13th,  1807.     "  I  do  most  sincere- 


ARTHUR  MATNARD   WALTER.  19 

Ij  congratulate  you,  my  dear  Buckminster,  on  the  flattering 
prospect  you  have  of  the  restoration  of  your  health.  This 
is  the  only  consideration  which,  in  any  degree,  reconciles 
me  to  your  longer  absence  ;  for  I  do  most  ardently  -wish  for 
your  return.  Since  the  death  of  our  friend  Walter,  I  have 
regretted  your  absence,  and  wished  for  your  company,  more 
than  ever.  0  my  dear  friend,  how  little  did  we  anticipate 
this  most  grievous  dispensation  of  God's  holy  providence, 
when  we  last  parted  !  A  thousand  httle  incidents  relative 
to  his  sickness  and  death  forcibly  impress  themselves  on  my 
mind  ;  and,  if  God  shall  be  pleased  to  permit  us  to  meet 
again,  I  will  detail  them  to  you  with  melancholy  pleasure. 
I  need  not  tell  you,  who  were  so  well  acquainted  with  us 
both,  how  much  I  loved  him,  and  how  worthy  he  was  of 
admiration  and  esteem.  There  was  no  good  I  ever  enjoyed, 
there  was  no  pleasure  I  ever  anticipated,  with  which  Walter 
was  not  most  intimately  associated.  But  my  dear  friend  is 
dead  !  I  ought  not  to  complain ;  God's  will  be  done  !  How 
many  dehghtful  hours  have  we  passed  together  in  convers- 
ing about  you,  my  friend,  in  recollectuig  the  pleasures  of 
former  days,  in  social  converse,  in  felicitating  you  on  the 
advantages  we  flattered  ourselves  you  would  enjoy  from  your 
travels,  in  your  health  and  intellectual  improvement,  and 
with  what  transport  did  we  anticipate  your  return  !  0  my 
God !  of  such  pleasures,  departed  never  to  return,  how 
painful  the  remembrance  !  " 

Under  the  influence  of  the  same  intense  afiection  for  the 
memory  of  this  his  youthful  friend,  Mr.  Buckminster,  in 
August,  1809,  when  illustrating,  in  his  Address  before 
the  Phi  Beta  Kappa  Society  at  Harvard  College,  "  the 
cause  of  religion  and  the  fidehty  of  the  learned,"  poured 
forth  the  following  eloquent  and  touching  tiibute  to  Walter's 
memory  :  — 

"  Do  you  want  examples  of  learned  Christians  ?     I  could 


20  BIOGRAPHICAL  NOTICES. 

not  recount  them  all  in  an  age.     You  need  not  be  told  that 

'  Learning  has  borne  sucli  fruit,  in  other  days, 
On  all  her  branches ;  piety  has  found 
Friends  in  the  friends  of  science,  and  true  prayer 
Has  flowed  from  lips  wet  with  Castalian  dews.' 

Yes,  it  has !  We  have  known  and  loved  such  men,  and, 
thank  God,  have  been  loved  by  them.  There  is  now  pres- 
ent to  my  mind  the  image  of  a  scholar,  whom  some  of  you 
know  (for  he  was  one  of  us),  and  those  who  knew  him  well 
will  say,  with  me,  he  was  as  pure  a  spirit  as  ever  tasted  the 
dew  of  Castaha.  —  How  would  Walter  have  delighted  in  this 
anniversary !  He  would  have  heard  me !  me,  who  am  now 
left  to  speak  of  him  only,  and  ask  for  him  the  tribute,  the 
passing  tribute,  of  your  grateful  recollection.  He  would 
have  heard  me  !  It  may  be,  that  he  now  hears  me,  and 
is  pleased  with  this  tribute. 

'Manibus  date  lilia  plenis  j 
Purpureos  spargam  flores,  animamque  amid 
His  saltern  accumulem  donis,  etfungar  inani 
Munere.'  "  * 

Nor  can  this  brief  sketch  of  the  hfe  and  character  of 

Mr.  Walter  close  with  a  more  appropriate  tribute,  than  that 

which  his  friends  in  the  Anthology  Club  bestowed,  in  their 

publication  for  the  month  in  Avhich  he  died. 

"  In  Memoriam 

Arthur  Maynard  Walter, 

Boni, 

Juris  ac  omnium 

Rerum 
Literis  attinentium 


"  Bring  fragrant  flowers,  the  whitest  lilies  bring, 
With  all  the  purple  beauties  of  the  spring ; 
On  the  dear  youth,  to  please  his  shade  below, 
This  unavailing  gift,  at  least,  I  may  bestow  !  " 

Dryden  and  Pitt. 


ARTHUR  MAYNARD   WALTER.  21 

Supra  suam  ?etatem 

Yalde  periti. 

Anno  Domini 

Millesimo  octingentesimo  septimo, 

^tatis  suse 

Vicesimo  sexto, 

Januarii 

Die  secundo, 

Splendidiorem  inire 

Hanc  vitam  reliquit. 


Eheu,  vos  charum  tarn  perdere  sanguine  junctos  ! 
Eheu,  vos  comites  miseros  tarn  perdere  fidum  ! 
Eheu,  vos  Musas  tristes  tarn  perdere  amicum  ! 
Eheu,  mundum  infelicem  tarn  perdere  rectum ! 
Tristes  dilectam  sobolem  plorate,  Camaenaj ! 
Occidis,  infelix  puer,  ah  !  memorande  per  gevum, 
Nulla  tuam  poterit  virtutem  abolere  vetustas." 


WILLIAM    SMITH    SHAW. 


Among  those  whose  labors  contributed  to  the  foundation 
of  the  Boston  Athenaeum,  William  Smith  Shaw  is  preemi- 
nently entitled  to  distinct  and  grateful  commemoration.  If 
not  the  first,  he  was  among  the  earliest  to  conceive  the  de- 
sign. In  forming  and  executing  that  plan  for  a  public 
reading-room,  which  led  to  it,  he  was  chiefly  active.  In 
obtaining  that  act  of  incorporation  which  gave  the  Athe- 
naeum existence,  and,  subsequently,  in  procuring  for  it  sub- 
scribers, his  zeal  and  efforts  were  unremitted.  During  the 
long,  succeeding  period  in  which  its  early  movements  were 
embarrassed  by  the  inadequacy  of  its  resources  to  its  ob- 
jects, he  was  ceaseless  and  indefatigable  in  his  endeavours 
to  enlarge  its  means  of  usefulness,  by  seeking  out  patrons 
and  exciting  public  interest  in  its  favor.  In  connection  with 
this  institution,  the  memory  of  no  one  better  deserves  to  be 
preserved  and  gratefully  cherished,  for  intelligent  zeal  and 
efficient  efforts  for  its  estabhshment  and  success.  His  la- 
bors, indeed,  were  confined  to  a  narrow  circle,  but  they 
embraced  in  their  horizon  the  whole  sphere  of  Uterature 
and  science.  Though  humble  and  unpretending,  they  had 
for  their  object  the  forming  and  feeding  an  intellectual 
lamp,  destined  to  cast  its  light  through  all  time  and  over  the 
whole  land. 


WILLIAM   SMITH   SHAW.  23 

"William  Smith  Shaw  was  the  son  of  the  Rev.  John  Shaw, 
a  clergyman  settled  at  Haverhill,  in  Massachusetts,  of  clas- 
sical taste  and  literary  acquirements.  These  he  employed, 
enlarged,  and  brightened  by  the  instruction  of  youth  for 
college  ;  the  pecuniary  embarrassment  incident  and  subse- 
quent to  the  war  of  the  Revolution  having  rendered  the 
parochial  support  of  clergjnnen  limited  and  precarious. 
His  mother,  Elizabeth  Smith,  was  the  daughter  of  the  Rev. 
Wilham  Smith  of  Weymouth,  and  the  sister  of  Mrs.  Abigail 
Adams  (the  wife  of  John  Adams,  the  second  President  of  the 
United  States),  whose  talents  and  acquirements  have  been 
recently  and  happily  illustrated  in  a  Memoir,  by  her  grand- 
son, Charles  Francis  Adams. 

Mrs.  Shaw  was  not  less  distinguished  than  her  sister  for 
intellectual  power  and  literary  attainments.  Though  she  was 
called  to  move  in  a  different  and  less  public  ch'cle,  it  was  far 
from  being  contracted.  In  it  she  gave  proof  of  being  alike 
gifted  by  nature  and  distinguished  for  attainments  of  mind 
and  virtues  of  the  heart.  In  the  excellence  of  maternal  in- 
fluence, the  most  effectual  and  conclusive  on  the  character 
of  a  child,  William  Smith  Shaw  enjoyed  great  and  seldom 
exceeded  advantages.  He  was  born  on  the  12th  of  August, 
1778.  Feeble  in  original  constitution,  with  a  tendency 
from  childhood  to  chronic  rheumatism,  he  was  early  sub- 
jected to  the  restraints  and  trials  incident  to  sickness ;  in 
the  intervals  of  which,  books  became  to  him  a  source  of 
enjoyment,  as  well  as  of  improvement.  The  desire  of  accu- 
mulating and  preserving  them  gradually  grew  into  a  pas- 
sion, which  in  the  progress  of  years  became  insatiable  and 
almost  exclusive. 

Though  ill  health  impeded,  it  did  not  prevent  or  long  post- 
pone, his  entrance  into  Harvard  College,  which  took  place  in 
the  year  1794,  and  in  the  sixteenth  year  of  his  age.  His 
prospects  there  were,  however,  soon  clouded  by  the  death  of 


24  BIOGRAPHICAL  NOTICES. 

Ills  father,  and  the  consequent  want  of  pecuniary  means  to 
defray  the  expenses  of  his  education;  By  the  aid  of  friends 
and  an  occasional  exertion  in  school-keeping  he  was  enabled 
to  graduate  regularly  in  1798.  The  success  of  his  collegi- 
ate studies  was  embarrassed  by  the  feebleness  of  his  con- 
stitution ;  yet,  while  in  college,  his  associations  and  intimacies 
were  among  those  most  distinguished  for  their  hterary  ac- 
quisitions, many  of  whom  were  afterwards  fellow-workers 
with  him  in  founding  the  Anthology  Club,  or  in  contributing 
by  their  writings  to  the  periodical  publication,  with  which  its 
name  and  character  were  connected. 

After  graduating,  he  received  from  John  Adams,  then 
President  of  the  United  States,  the  appointment  of  his 
Private  Secretary,  and  became  a  resident  in  his  family,  in 
Philadelphia.  Here  his  love  of  literature,  early  instilled  by 
his  mother,  was  further  excited  by  the  influence  of  her 
sister,  Mrs.  Adams,  and  of  the  circle  of  which  this  lady  was 
the  dehght  and  the  ornament. 

It  appears,  from  his  letters  to  his  friends,  that,  at  this 
early  period  of  his  life,  his  mind  became  deeply  impressed 
by  the  lowness  of  the  standard  of  literature  in  the  United 
States,  and  earnestly  possessed  with  the  desire  of  adopting 
measures  to  enlarge  and  elevate  it.  Availing  himself  of 
the  opportunities  his  official  position  afibrded,  and  as  one 
means  of  aiding  the  advancement  of  literature,  he  com- 
menced that  extensive  and  valuable  collection  of  tracts, 
which  now  constitutes  one  of  the  richest  portions  of  the 
library  of  the  Boston  Athenaeum. 

At  this  period,  he  had  the  melancholy  but  interesting 
duty  to  perform  of  visiting  Mount  Vernon,  and  of  bearing, 
in  his  official  capacity,  the  Resolve  of  Congress  of  the  23d 
of  December,  1799,  expressing  to  Mrs.  Washington  their 
condolence  at  her  bereavement,  and  their  request  that  the 
remains  of  her  husband  might  be  deposited  in  the  city  of 


WILLIAM    SMITH    SHAW.  25 

Washington,  and  of  bearing,  in  return,  her  touching  and 
dignified  reply. 

Early  in  1801,  Mr.  Shaw  left  the  family  of  President 
Adams,  and  entered,  as  a  student  of  law,  the  office  of  Wil- 
liam Sullivan,  Esq.,  of  Boston,  and  continued  in  it  until  his 
admission  to  the  bar  in  1804.  While  resident  in  Philadel- 
phia, Mr.  Shaw's  interest  in  the  advancement  of  letters 
was  manifested  by  the  active  zeal  with  which  he  encouraged, 
in  every  way  in  his  power,  the  hterary  enterprises  of  the 
period ;  and  particularly  by  the  earnestness  and  diligence 
with  which  he  exerted  himself  to  promote  a  subscription  for 
the  "  Port-Foho,"  a  periodical  work  then  commencing,  and 
which  subsequently  obtained  an  enviable  celebrity  under  the 
editorial  care  of  Joseph  Dennie,  a  name  distinguished  in 
the  literary  history  of  that  period.  While  a  student  in 
Boston,  in  the  office  of  Mr.  Sullivan,  the  same  tendency 
of  his  disposition  was  apparent  from  the  like  active  interest 
with  which  he  solicited  subscriptions  for  Marshall's  "  Life  of 
AVashington,"  and  for  a  public  monument  to  this  first  and 
greatest  of  American  patriots,  and  in  favor  of  every  project 
he  deemed  worthy  of  public  patronage. 

In  this  connection,  also,  should  not  be  omitted  the  more 
than  fraternal  kindness  which  through  life  he  extended  to 
that  estimable  and  meritorious  authoress,  Hannah  Adams, 
by  assisting  her  with  books,  procuring  for  her  friends, 
obtaining  subscriptions  for  her  works,  and  afterwards, 
when  age  and  infirmities  had  visited  her,  obtaining  an  an- 
nuity for  her  support,  superintending  all  her  concerns,  and 
contributing  in  every  way  to  her  comfort.  His  attention 
and  kindness  were  the  frequent  topics  of  that  lady's  ac- 
knowledgments, accompanied  by  intense  expressions  of 
gratitude. 

Early  in  the  year  1805,  Mr.  Shaw  with  other  literary 
men,  formed  the  Anthology  Club,  which  took  upon  itself 


26  BIOGRAPinCAL  NOTICES. 

the  responsibility  of  a  periodical  work  entitled  "  The 
Monthly  Anthology."  The  objects  of  that  association  co- 
incided with  the  prevailing  current  of  his  thoughts.  With 
Arthur  Maynard  Walter  and  Joseph  Stevens  Buckminster, 
as  a  committee,  he  formed  the  Constitution  of  that  Socie- 
ty, of  which  he  was  the  first  Treasurer,  and  an  ex  officio 
member  of  its  Standing  Committee  ;  and  after  the  lapse 
of  a  year,  on  the  resignation  of  Samuel  Cooper  Thacher, 
he  was  appointed  Superintending  Committee  of  their  pub- 
lication, —  a  designation  by  Avhich  they  had  agreed  to 
express  the  office  and  duty  of  editor.  He  seconded  the 
motion  of  Mr.  Emerson  for  the  establishment  of  "  a  Library 
of  periodical  publications  for  the  use  of  the  Society,"  and 
was  one  of  the  first  contributors  to  it.  He  was  also  the  first 
to  suggest,  and  was  principally  active  in,  the  making  that 
library  public,  and  connecting  it  with  a  pubhc  reading-room, 
which  was  the  direct  and  earliest  efficient  step  towards  the 
establishment  of  the  Boston  Athenaeum. 

Of  the  measures  which  succeeded  to  this  first  step,  and 
which  resulted  in  the  incorporation,  and,  finally,  in  the  suc- 
cessful foundation  of  that  institution,  no  better  accounts 
exist,  than  those  contained  in  Mr.  Shaw's  letters  to  Mr. 
Buckminster,  who  was  then  in  Europe.  Of  a  letter  written 
by  him  to  this  gentleman,  dated  on  the  1st  of  December, 
1806,  a  copy  exists  among  Mr.  Shaw's  papers,  which  so  dis- 
tinctly displays  his  zeal  for  the  interests,  and  acquaintance 
with  the  wants,  of  the  institution  he  was  so  instrumental  in 
founding,  that  it  deserves  to  be  presented  to  the  pubhc  at 
length  in  this  biographical  notice. 

"  Boston,  December  1st,  1806. 

"  Dear  Buckminster,  —  I  know  you  will  be  dehghted 
to  hear  of  the  progress  we  have  made  in  the  reading-room 
and  hbrary,  which  has  much  surpassed  the  expectation  of 


WILLIAM   SMITH   SHAW.  27 

even  the  most  sanguine  of  us.  We  have  one  hundred  and 
sixtj  subscribers  at  ten  dollars  a  year,  consisting  of  the 
most  respectable  gentlemen  in  Boston,  with  the  probability 
of  having  two  hundred  subscribers,  at  least,  the  moment  the 
rooms  are  opened.  We  have  taken  rooms  in  Congress 
Street,  in  what  are  called  Joy's  Buildings,  which  we  shall 
occupy  till  the  spring,  when  we  expect  to  be  able  to  pro- 
cure more  commodious  rooms.  We  have  had  nearly  a 
thousand  volumes  of  valuable  books  presented  to  us,  and 
one  hundred  and  sixty  dollars  in  cash.  The  institution  is 
a  very  popular  one,  and  there  is  a  strong  inclination  dis- 
covered to  patronize  it  on  a  very  extensive  plan  ;  and  I 
have  very  little  doubt,  that  in  a  few  years  we  shall  see  a 
library  in  our  beloved  Boston  inferior  to  none  in  America. 
If  we  do  not,  it  will  be  owing  altogether  to  want  of  exertion 
on  the  part  of  our  literary  men,  whose  duty  it  is  to  awake 
from  their  stupid  lethargy,  and  to  rescue  our  country  from 
the  scorn  and  derision  which  now  lie  so  heavily  upon  her. 

"  We  propose  that  the  whole  property  of  the  institution 
shall  be  vested  in  a  number  of  Trustees,  not  exceeding 
eleven,  seven  of  whom  to  be  chosen  from  the  Anthology 
Society,  the  remaining  four  to  be  gentlemen  out  of  the  So- 
ciety ;  the  trustees  so  chosen  to  have  the  sole  and  exclusive 
management  of  the  institution.  Dr.  Kirkland,  Mr.  Emer- 
son, Peter  Thacher,  Walter,  and  myself,  are  chosen  from 
the  Anthology  Society,  and  we  intend  to  choose  your  Honor 
to  be  one  the  moment  you  come  home.  Chief  Justice  Par- 
sons, Mr.  John  Lowell,  and  Mr.  Freeman,  we  have  also  cho- 
sen, none  of  whom  have  yet  made  known  their  acceptance 
but  Mr.  Parsons,  who  very  readily  complied  with  our  re- 
quest, much  to  the  joy  of  us  all.  As  soon  as  the  Trustees  can 
be  called  together,  they  are  to  choose  a  President,  Vice-Pres- 
ident, Recording  and  Corresponding  Secretaries,  Treasur- 
er, &c.  &c.    Mr.  Parsons  is  to  be  chosen  President,  Walter 


28  BIOGRAPHICAL   NOTICES. 

will  probably  be  chosen  Corresponding  Secretary,  and  your 
humble  servant  Recorder. 

"  In  drawing  up  the  regulations,  we  have  followed  very 
closely  the  laws  of  the  Athenaeum  of  Liverpool,  for  which 
I  am  greatly  indebted  to  your  kindness  in  transmitting  im- 
mediately on  your  arrival  at  Liverpool.  It  is  an  admirable 
institution,  and  we  intend  to  make  ours  as  much  like  that 
as  the  different  circumstances  of  the  two  countries  Avill  ad- 
mit. I  pray  you  to  make  it  an  object  to  collect  as  much 
information  as  will  be  in  your  power  respecting  all  literary 
societies,  catalogues  of  their  libraries,  their  laws,  &c.  &c. 
They  will  be  pleasant  to  have  in  our  reading-room,  at  least, 
and  thus  may  be  made  useful  in  America,  to  stimulate 
our  countrymen  to  some  important  mental  exertions.  I 
wish  you  could  be  prevailed  upon  to  avail  yourself  of  the 
advantages  your  residence  in  London  this  winter  will  af- 
ford you,  to  collect  information  relative  to  the  literature  of 
England,  its  colleges,  schools,  scientific  institutions,  liter- 
ary men,  &c.  &c.,  and  pubhsh  a  series  of  papers  in  our 
dearly  cherished '  Anthology '  on  the  present  state  of  English 
literature,  which  I  am  very  certain  would  be  novel,  inter- 
esting, and  useful  to  the  people  of  this  country.  Write  a 
series  of  letters  from  England  to  us  in  America,  as 
Laharpe  wrote  from  Paris  to  the  Emperor  Paul  the 
First,  of  Russia.  He  was  engaged  in  a  correspondence 
with  the  Emperor  for  five  years,  which,  since  Laharpe's 
death,  has  been  published  in  four  volumes.  He  sent  to  the 
young  prince  all  the  literary  and  political  news  of  Paris, 
and  judged  of  men  and  books  with  all  the  freedom  which 
a  literary  correspondence  admits.  The  work  is  wonderful- 
ly interesting.  It  will  be  read  by  men  of  letters  and  men 
of  fashion.  The  first  will  find  much  correct  criticism,  the 
second,  pleasant  anecdote,  and  all,  variety,  which  you 
know  is  always  charming. 


WILLIAM   SMITH   SHAW.  29 

"  I  inclose  to  you,  with  this,  a  bill  of  exchange,  payable  to 
you,  and  drawn  upon  Samuel  Williams,  Esq.,  for  six  hun- 
dred dollars,  —  five  hundred  of  which  are  to  be  expended 
in  procuring  books  for  the  reading-room,  and  to  be  sent  out 
as  early  in  the  spring  as  possible.  The  intention  of  the 
Trustees  is  to  appropriate  the  money  arising  from  subscrip- 
tions as  follows :  —  After  the  necessary  expenses  of  the  in- 
stitution are  paid,  the  first  object  will  be  to  provide  for  the 
rooms  all  the  celebrated  gazettes  published  in  any  part  of 
the  United  States  ;  the  most  interesting  literary  and  political 
pamphlets  in  Europe  and  America ;  magazines,  reviews,  and 
scientific  journals  in  the  English  and  French  languages  ; 
London  and  Paris  newspapers  ;  Steel's  Army  and  Navy 
List,  Naval  Chronicle,  London  and  Paris  booksellers'  cata- 
logues, Parliamentary  Debates,  bibliographical  works,  voy- 
ages and  travels,  valuable  maps  and  charts.  The  gazettes 
and  pamphlets  of  our  own  country  we  can,  of  course,  pro- 
cure without  troubling  you  ;  but  ayo  wish  you  to  take  such 
measures  as  will  insure  to  us  the  early  transmission  of  all 
interesting  pamphlets  published  in  England  on  important 
subjects,  —  the  average  amount  for  the  year  not  to  exceed 
three  dollars  per  month  ;  that  is,  we  are  willing  to  appro- 
priate thirty-six  dollars  a  year  of  our  funds  for  English 
pamphlets,  including  booksellers'  catalogues.  If  your 
friends,  Mr.  Samuel  and  Francis  Williams,  could  be  per- 
suaded to  undertake  this  commission  after  you  leave  Eng- 
land, they  would  be  the  best  men  in  the  world  for  this 
purpose.  At  any  rate,  we  shall  depend  on  your  selecting 
some  person  of  judgment,  in  whom  we  may  confide,  for  the 
punctual  discharge  of  this  part  of  our  engagement  to  supply 
the  room  with  English  pamphlets. 

"  English  magazines,  reviews,  &c.  These  pubUcations 
we  have  thought  it  most  expedient  to  procure,  for  the  pres- 
ent at  least,  through  the  agency  of  Mr.  Wilham  Skinner, 


30  BIOGRAPHICAL  NOTICES. 

an  English  gentleman  connected  •n'itli  a  house  in  London, 
whose  cai-d  I  inclose  to  jou,  and  would  wish  you  to  call  upon 
them  and  converse  with  them  on  the  objects  of  the  institu- 
tion, and  urge  upon  them  the  necessity  of  most  punctual 
communication.  I  inclose  to  you,  with  this,  a  list  of  all  the 
pubUcations  we  have  ordered  from  England,  with  a  request 
that  you  would  order  any  others  you  should  think  proper. 
We  wish  particularl}^  for  Dr.  Aikin's  new  magazine,  the 
Athenaeum,  Arthur  Aikin's  Annual  Review,  to  be  sent  out  in 
numbers,  beginning  with  the  first  number  of  the  fifth  volume, 
and,  indeed,  for  all  the  distinguished  periodical  journals  in 
England.  If  you  think,  therefore,  that  we  have  not  ordered 
a  sufficient  number,  you  are  at  perfect  liberty  to  make  any 
additions  you  please.  You  will  observe,  that  we  have  only 
sent  for  three  newspapers,  —  the  Morning  Chronicle,  the 
Courier,  and  Bell's  Weekly  Messenger,  —  which  are  as 
many  as  we  thought  our  funds  would  allow  of  at  present. 
If  you  think  we  ought  to  have  one  more,  you  may  direct  it 
to  be  sent  to  us.  To  collect  valuable  maps  and  charts  is 
one  of  the  prime  objects  of  the  institution,  and  ought  to  be 
immediately  attended  to.  You  will  therefore  appropriate 
a  part  of  the  money  sent  you  with  this  (say,  perhaps,  one 
hundred  dollars)  to  the  purchasing  of  two  or  three  good 
Atlases  of  standard  reputation. 

"  After  having  furnished  the  room  with  newspapers,  mag- 
azines, maps  and  charts,  &c.  &c.,  as  above  mentioned,  the 
second  object  of  the  Trustees  will  be  to  supply  the  library 
with  the  most  valuable  Encyclopaedias  of  the  arts  and  sci- 
ences in  the  French  and  English  languages,  with  standard 
dictionaries  of  the  learned  and  modern  languages,  also  dic- 
tionaries, critical,  biographical,  &c.,  and  books  of  general 
reference,  useful  to  the  merchant  and  scholar.  We  have 
already  procured  the  American  edition  of  Rees's  Encyclo- 
paedia as  far  as  it  has  been  published.     We  have  also  had 


WILLIAM    SMITH   SHAW.  31 

presented  to  us  a  superb  edition  of  Dr.  Aikin's  Johnson's 
Dictionary,  in  four  large  octavo  volumes,  by  my  friend,  Jo- 
seph Tilden.  Books  printed  on  the  Continent  we  can 
probably  purchase  cheaper  by  sending  to  Paris  and  Holland, 
than  you  could  be  able  to  procure  them  in  London.  I 
should  not,  therefore,  advise  you  to  purchase  books  of  this 
kind ;  but  of  this  you  will  be  a  much  better  judge  than  myself. 
I  merely  mention  it  by  way  of  suggestion,  leaving  it  entire- 
ly to  your  discretion.  Some  of  the  money,  I  should  think, 
ought  to  be  appropriated  to  purchase  standard  works  upon 
commerce  and  books  of  useful  reference  to  the  merchants, 
as  most  of  our  subscribers  are  of  this  class.  Mr.  Samuel 
Wilhams  could  recommend  to  you  some  books  of  this  kind. 
There  is  a  work  on  this  subject  reviewed  in  the  sixteenth 
number  of  the  Edinburgh  Review,  entitled,  I  beUeve,  Mac- 
pherson's  "Annals  of  Commerce,"  which  I  should  think  we 
ought  to  have.  You  ought  to  send  us  out,  also,  some  mis- 
cellaneous books,  useful  to  the  loungers,  —  such,  perhaps, 
as  a  complete  edition  of  the  English  classics,  such  as  the 
Spectator,  Guardian,  &c.,  with  Drake's  Essays  on  these 
periodical  writers,  &c.  &c.  The  books  you  purchase  must 
be  all  good  editions,  printed  on  good  paper,  and  well  bound  ; 
but  take  care  not  to  be  too  extravagant. 

"  I  have  thus,  my  dear  Buckminster,  detailed  to  you  the 
objects  to  which  we  conceive  the  income  of  our  institution 
ought  for  the  present  to  be  appropriated,  and,  with  this  in- 
formation, send  the  five  hundred  dollars  to  you  to  procure 
such  books  for  the  institution  as  your  judgment  shall  dictate, 
with  an  entire  confidence  that  the  money  will  be  appropri- 
ated in  such  a  manner  as  will  advance  the  interests  and 
extend  the  patronage  of  the  estabhshment,  which  I  am  very 
sensible  you  have  much  at  heart.  All  the  newspapers  and 
literary  publications,  which  we  procure  through  the  kindness 
of  Mr.  Skinner,  we  expect  to  pay  for  here,  and  have  made 
our  arrangements  accordingly. 


32  BIOGRAPHICAL  NOTICES. 

"  You  must  be  very  sensible,  that  the  success  of  an  in- 
stitution like  ours  will  depend  very  much  on  the  punctuality 
and  despatch  with  which  we  receive  our  foreign  newspapers, 
pamphlets,  new  books,  and  periodical  i^ubhcations.  I  can- 
not urge  upon  you,  therefore,  too  strongly  the  necessity  of 
adopting  such  measures,  before  you  embark  for  this  country, 
as  will  best  secure  to  us  these  great  objects.  I  Avould  beg 
leave  to  suggest  to  you  the  expediency  of  selecting  a  con- 
fidential bookseller  in  London ;  promise  that  we  will  pur- 
chase all  our  books  of  him  ;  let  him  supply  us  with  all  our 
newspapers,  magazines,  &c.,  —  in  short,  every  thing  we 
shall  want  from  England  ;  tell  him  that  our  institution  prom- 
ises to  be  a  permanent  one,  that  we  shall  probably  send 
to  England  from  one  thousand  to  fifteen  hundred  dollars 
per  year,  to  be  expended  in  books.  With  such  induce- 
ments, I  should  think  some  one  might  be  persuaded  to 
make  considerable  exertion  to  comply  with  our  requisitions. 
If  you  should  adopt  any  plan  of  this  kind,  you  must  give 
information  to  Skinner's  house,  in  London. 

"  I  send  you  one  hundred  dollars,  on  my  own  account, 
with  which  I  wish  you  to  procure  for  me  the  best  edition  of 
Shakspeare's  Plays,  Avith  all  the  prefaces,  notes,  commenta- 
ries, &c.  (fee,  which  I  suppose  to  be  Reed's  ;  Dr.  Aikin's 
edition  of  Dr.  Johnson's  dictionary,  in  four  volumes,  octa- 
vo, both  to  be  Avell  bound  in  calf ;  Dibdin's  bibliographical 
works ;  and,  if  these  should  not  amount  to  one  hundred  dol- 
lars, any  other  books  you  may  please  to  procure  for  me. 
Alas  !  I  have  no  more  time  to  write  at  present.  Remem- 
ber me  most  affectionately  to  Mr.  Thacher.  Consult  him 
about  the  reading-room.  Love  me  always,  and  believe  me 
to  be,  most  sincerely,  yours  most  affectionately, 

"Wm.  S.  Shaw." 

In  a  letter  to  the  same  gentleman,  on  the  13th  of  the 
same  month,  Mr.  Shaw  displays  a  hke  earnest  and  indefati- 
gable spirit. 


WILLIAM    SMITH   SHAW.  33 

"  Boston,  13  December,  1806. 

"  Dear  Buckminster,  —  I  wrote  to  you  by  the  Galen 
a  long  letter,  and  inclosed  to  you  a  bill  of  exchange  drawn 
upon  Samuel  Williams,  Esquire,  for  six  hundred  dollars, 
which  letter  I  presume  you  have  received.  It  ought  to  be 
a  considerable  object,  I  should  think,  in  the  purchase  of 
books  for  our  library,  to  procure  such  valuable  works  as 
are  least  common  in  this  town  and  most  difficult  to  be 
procured  in  this  country.  The  pubhcations  relative  to  the 
literary  fund  in  England  I  have  never  seen  in  this  country, 
and,  if  they  have  any  merit,  I  think  you  had  best  procure 

them Rare  books  relative  to  the  history  of  this 

country,  or  the  West  India  Islands,  &c.  &c.,  ought  to  be 
obtained.  The  publications  of  literary  associations  of  emi- 
nence in  Great  Britain  we  ought  to  procure.  Perhaps 
such  letters  might  be  addressed  to  the  societies  as  would 
induce  them  to  present  copies  of  their  publications  to  our 
institution;  but  of  this  you  are  the  better  judge.  I  send 
you,  inclosed  with  this,  ten  copies  of  our  Prospectus,  that 
you  may  distribute  them  in  a  manner  most  likely  to  pro- 
mote the  great  objects  of  our  institution.  In  my  last,  I 
suggested  to  you  the  expediency  of  selecting  some  booksel- 
ler in  London  who  would  undertake  to  supply  us  with  every 
thing  we  wanted,  and  who  would  be  responsible  for  the 
punctual  and  early  transmission  of  all  our  newspapers  and 
literary  publications.  This  is  a  very  great  object,  and  the 
prosperity  and  advancement  of  the  institution  depend  very 
much  on  the  success  of  our  exertions  in  this  particular.  I 
would  further  suggest,  whether  it  would  not  be  possible  to 
make  some  arrangements  with  the  Athenaeum  and  Lyceum 
in  Liverpool,  that  would  operate  beneficially  to  our  estab- 
lishment. The  librarians  of  those  institutions  might  possibly 
be  induced  to  send  us  some  of  the  numerous  publications 
which  they  receive.     I  have  frequently  seen,  in  this  town, 


34  BIOGRAPHICAL  NOTICES. 

at  our  printing-offices,  English  newspapers,  with  the  name 
of  '  Athengeum '  stamped  upon  them,  and  which,  I  have  un- 
derstood, came  from  that  institution.  These  institutions 
must  receive  a  number  of  newspapers,  magazines,  &c.  &c., 
and  often  duplicates,  which  they  do  not  care  to  preserve,  and 
would  be  wilUng  to  send  to  us  at  a  very  low  price  ;  —  also 
political  pamphlets. 

"  I  think  you  might  also  advance  the  interests  of  our  es- 
tablishment by  conversing  with  the  Americans,  particularly 
the  Bostonians,  in  England,  on  the  utility  and  the  pleasure 
which  will  probably  be  afforded  by  an  institution  on  our 
plan.  In  my  exertions  here,  I  have  generally  succeeded  be- 
yond my  most  sanguine  expectations  in  obtaining  subscrip- 
tions, and  donations  in  books  as  well  as  money.  The  plan 
is  a  very  popular  one,  and  almost  every  one  is  desirous  of 
doing  something  to  promote  its  objects.  If  you  choose  to 
exercise  the  influence  which  I  know  you  must  possess  over 
your  American  acquaintance  in  England,  and  I  think  it  is 
your  duty  to  do  it,  I  have  no  doubt  but  that  you  might  ob- 
tain some  very  valuable  donations  to  the  library.  I  should 
advise  you  to  give  one  of  our  pamphlets  to  every  generous 
American,  with  some  observation  which  may  induce  him 
to  make  some  exertion  to  promote  the  interests  of  the  es- 
tablishment. 

"  There  are  many  Englishmen,  such  as  Sir  John  Sinclair, 
&c.,  Avho  are  pleased  to  take  a  very  lively  interest  in  every 
thing  relating  to  American  affairs,  and  who,  I  have  no 
doubt,  would  be  very  much  delighted  in  promoting  the  ob- 
jects of  our  establishment.  These  gentlemen  might  be 
very  useful  in  influencing  the  learned  societies  to  make 
donations  of  their  publications.  I  should  also  think  it  very 
proper  to  establish  a  correspondence  with  some  learned  men 
in  England,  to  whom  we  might  be  permitted  to  write  in  be- 
half of  the  institution,  and  who  might  be  the  means  of  our 


WILLIAM    SMITH   SHAW.  35 

procuring  rare,  valuable  works,  out  of  print,  which  we 
could  not  otherwise  obtain.  Mr.  Benjamin  Vaughan,  here, 
has  recommended  us  to  his  brother  William,  and  has  prom- 
ised to  give  us  letters  to  him.  In  my  former  letter,  I  re- 
quested you  to  procure  some  books  of  reputation  for  the 
merchants.  In  addition,  I  would  suggest  to  you  the  pro- 
priety of  purchasing  Oddy's  '  European  Commerce,'  review- 
ed in  the  Monthly  Re\aew  for  August  last.  I  send  you, 
with  this,  a  second  bill  of  exchange,  drawn  upon  Samuel 
Williams,  Esq.,  for  six  hundred  dollars  ;  five  hundred  to  be 
laid  out  in  books  for  the  reading-room,  as  I  wrote  in  my 

former  letter,  and  one  hundred  on  my  own  account 

"  The  gentlemen  of  the  Anthology  Society  desire  to  be  par- 
ticularly remembered  to  you  and  our  friend  Thacher.  We 
meet  now  in  Congress  Street,  under  the  same  roof  with  the 
reading-room ;  and  Cooper,  who  is  to  keep  the  hbrary,  pro- 
vides for  us.  Our  subscribers  gradually  increase,  and  the 
pubHcation  seems  to  be  rising  in  reputation.  The  booksel- 
lers and  printers  begin  to  think  us  of  some  consequence, 
and  send  us  most  of  their  pubhcations.  We  frequently 
drink  a  bumper  to  the  health  of  our  good  friends  in  Europe, 
and  with  much  sincerity  wish  them  pleasure  and  improve- 
ment from  their  travels.  We  often  regret  we  have  not 
been  favored  with  some  communications  for  the  Anthology, 
but  anticipate  with  pleasure  the  time  when  they  will  come 
en  masse.  Mr.  Thacher  must  not  fail  to  fulfil  his  promise, 
and  we  expect  a  whole  budget  in  the  spiing.  Phillips,  in 
London,  has  sent  us  an  answer  to  the  letter  which  we  wrote  to 
him  last  spring,  thanking  us  for  the  numbers  of  the  Anthol- 
ogy which  we  sent  him,  speaking  in  a  very  flattering  man- 
ner of  the  publication,  and  saying  that  he  should  be  very  hap- 
py to  interchange  with  us  ;  but  he  has  as  yet  sent  us  none 
of  his  numbers.  If  it  is  not  too  much  trouble,  I  wish  either 
you  or  Thacher  would  call  upon  him,  and  converse  with  him 


36  BIOGRAPHICAL   NOTICES. 

on  the  subject.  I  should  think  it  would  be  worth  while  to 
make  the  same  attempt  of  an  interchange  with  other  peri- 
odical pubHcations  in  London.  I  also  wish  that  one  of  you 
would  cause  the  plan  of  our  institution  to  be  published  in 
the  Monthly  Magazine,  and  perhaps  some  other  pubHcations, 
with  such  observations  as  you  may  think  proper.  Profes- 
sors M'^Kean  and  Willard  are  on  nomination  for  members  of 
our  Society.  You  have  already  heard  of  Dr.  Kirkland  be- 
ing a  member;  we  find  him  very  pleasant  as  a  sociable 
man.  We  have  now  completed  our  third  volume,  and  we 
flatter  ourselves  that  the  last  is  very  much  the  best.  We 
commence  the  new  year  with  a  firm  determination  to  perse- 
vere, and  we  flatter  ourselves,  that,  with  our  own  exertions, 
and  with  such  foreign  aid  as  we  may  procure,  we  shall  be 
able  to  make  the  publication  still  more  valuable." 

In  obtaining  an  act  of  incorporation,  in  soliciting  sub- 
scriptions, and  in  organizing  the  first  movements  of  the 
Athenseum,  Mr.  Shaw's  labors  were  eificient  and  unremit- 
ted. From  the  moment  its  operations  commenced,  he  de- 
voted himself  to  the  success  and  enlargement  of  the  insti- 
tution. His  interest  and  zeal  are  well  developed  in  the  fol- 
lowing letter  to  Mr.  Buckminster,  written  after  the  act  of 
incorporation  was  obtained. 

"  Boston,  13  May,  1807. 

"  Dear  Buckminster,  — From  the  pamphlets  which 

I  send  to  you  with  this,  of  which  you  have  several  for  distri- 
bution as  you  think  proper,  you  will  see  that  the  Trustees  of 
the  Anthology  Reading-room  and  Library  have  obtained  an 
act  of  incorporation  by  the  name  of  '  The  Proprietors  of  the 
Boston  Athenaeum.'  I  doubt  very  much  whether  there  ever 
has  been  an  institution  in  this  country,  which  has  made  such 
rapid  advances  as  ours ;  and  I  can  now  congratulate  you  on 


WILLIAM   SMITH   SHAW.  37 

the  prospect  of  lia^ang  a  library  in  this  town,  —  which  you  al- 
ways seemed  to  believe  was  only  a  delusion  of  my  idle  brain, 
—  on  a  liberal  plan,  highly  honorable  to  the  munificence  of 
our  citizens,  and  which  will  assist  and  facihtate  the  research- 
es of  the  learned  and  gratify  the  curiosity  of  strangers.  This, 
with  me,  I  can  assure  you,  is  no  ordinary  subject  of  con- 
gratulation. Depend  upon  it,  that  the  establishment  of  the 
Athenaeum,  the  rooms  of  which  are  to  be  always  accessible 
at  all  hours  of  the  day,  is  one  of  the  greatest  strides  to- 
ward intellectual  advancement  that  this  country  has  ever 
witnessed.  We  have  every  reason  to  believe  that  the  hun- 
dred and  fifty  shares  will  be  taken  up,  which,  at  three  hun- 
dred dollars  a  share,  will  give  us  forty-five  thousand  dollars. 
We  already  have  fifty  shares  subscribed  for,  and  there  are 
about  thirty  gentlemen  beside,  who  have  promised  to  sub- 
scribe. We  shall  not  trouble  ourselves  for  life-subscribers 
till  the  permanent  shares  are  taken  up,  which  I  undertake 
to  say  will  be  the  case  in  the  course  of  three  weeks  at 
least,  and  perhaps  in  less  time. 

"  You  did  very  right  to  send  us  the  Oxford  Review, 
though  I  do  not  think  much  of  the  numbers  I  have  read. 
As  our  funds  are  very  much  increased,  we  can  now  afford 
to  take  all  the  Enghsh  literary  magazines  of  any  eminence, 
and  you  are  at  liberty  to  add  any  to  the  list  you  please. 
What  merit  has  the  Panorama,  a  new  pubhcation  I  see  ad- 
vertised ?  We  are  perfectly  satisfied  with  the  arrange- 
ments made  in  London  with  Jenner,  for  the  periodical  pub- 
lications. They  come  out  as  regularly  as  we  could  expect  to 
receive  them  from  London  ;  but  we  wish  that  there  might  be 
some  arrangement  in  Liverpool,  so  that  no  vessel  should  sail 
for  Boston  without  some  papers  for  us.  Could  you  not  make 
some  agreement  with  the  Athenaeum,  Lyceum,  or  Union 
Society,  to  send  out  some  papers,  different  from  those  we  al- 
ready have,  at  half-price  ?     You  must  not  send  us  out  any 


38  BIOGRAPHICAL    NOTICES. 

books  on  credit.     Remember  me,  with  all  possible  affection, 
to  dear  Thacher.     In  great  haste,  dear  Buckminster,  yours, 

W.  S.  Shaw." 

Although  Mr.  Shaw  had  diligently  pursued  the  study  of 
the  law,  yet,  after  his  admission  to  the  bar,  the  strong  bias 
of  his  mind  was  towards  the  advancement  of  general  lit- 
erature ;  and  his  friends,  who  continually  perceived  this, 
were  desirous  that  his  predilection  should  not  be  constrained, 
and  that  some  situation  might  be  offered  him  better  adapted 
for  its  indulgence.  It  was,  therefore,  with  much  gratifica- 
tion that  they  received  notice,  in  1806,  of  his  appointment 
to  the  office  of  Clerk  of  the  District  Court  of  Massachusetts, 
by  the  Hon.  John  Davis,  the  District  Judge.  He  was 
thus  called  from  the  general  practice  of  the  law,  and  from 
solving  the  anxious  problem  of  success  or  failure  in  the 
competition  for  professional  honors  and  emoluments,  and 
acquired  leisure  to  devote  himself  to  the  advancement  of 
the  Athenseum,  which  gradually  became  the  almost  exclu- 
sive object  of  his  thoughts,  and  not  so  much  a  desire  as  a 
passion.  His  pecuniary  means  now  also  enabled  him  to 
pursue  his  taste  for  collecting  curious  and  rare  books,  pam- 
phlets, medals,  and  coins,  all  of  which  he  deposited  in  the 
Library,  or  among  the  archives  of  the  institution,  with  little 
regard  to  preserve  the  evidence  of  his  right  to  property  in 
these  collections ;  so  completely  did  he  identify  his  own 
interests  Avith  its  success. 

The  progress  of  the  institution,  and  his  unabated  and  un- 
tiring exertions  in  its  behalf,  are  also  displayed  in  a  letter 
addressed  to  Sterling  Goodenow,  of  Albany,  in  April,  1810, 
of  which  the  following  copy  remains  among  the  papers  of 
Mr.  Shaw. 

"  My  Dear  Sir,  —  I  have  much  to  regret  that  a  ses- 


WILLIAM   SMITH   SHAW.  39 

sion  of  the  District  Court  of  Salem  has  prevented  me  from 
receiving  and  answering  your  very  acceptable  and  polite  let- 
ter of  the  12th  of  March,  till  this  date.  In  answer  to  your 
very  flattermg  inquiries  about  the  Athengeum,  I  would  state 
that  we  have  published  nothing  since  1807,  and  the  officers 
of  the  institution  remain  the  same  as  at  that  time.  In 
about  three  weeks  we  shall  have  our  Catalogue  through  the 
press,  (one  hundred  and  fifty  pages  of  which  are  now  already 
published,)  which,  when  finished,  I  shall  avail  myself  of  the 
first  opportunity  to  transmit  to  you. 

"  It  is  with  no  small  satisfaction  that  I  proceed  to  inform 
you  of  the  wonderful  pi-ogress  of  this  dear  institution,  the 
advantages  of  which,  in  a  town  like  Boston,  excite  all  my 
wishes  and  call  forth  all  my  exertions  ;  and  its  evident  utility 
is  calculated,  I  flatter  myself,  to  interest  the  friends  of  lit- 
erature throughout  the  United  States.  In  July  last  we  re- 
moved from  the  place  in  Scollay's  Buildings,  where  I  have 
often  had  the  pleasure  to  meet  you,  to  a  house  in  Tremont 
Street,  near  the  Stone  Chapel,  which  we  purchased  for 
nine  thousand  dollars ;  the  house  was  formerly  occupied  by 
R.  G.  Amory,  but  was  inhabited  when  you  were  in  Boston 
by  Doyle  &  Bowen,  w4iose  Museum  is  in  a  brick  building 
down  the  yard.  This  house,  which  is  large  and  capacious, 
we  have  prepared  in  such  a  manner  as  to  accommodate 
the  subscribers  and  proprietors  for  the  present  very  accep- 
tably ;  but  our  library  increases  so  fast  that  we  begin  seri- 
ously to  reflect  on  the  necessity  of  a  splendid  and  perma- 
nent building.  We  have  now  a  library  of  more  than  seven 
thousand  volumes,  and  are  expecting  from  England  by  the 
first  arrival  books  to  the  amount  of  twenty-five  hundred 
dollars.  These  books  are  the  property  of  the  institution. 
In  addition  to  which,  we  have,  deposited,  a  most  wonderful 
collection  of  books  belonging  to  John  Quincy  Adams, 
amounting  nearly  to  six  thousand  volumes,  which  he  left 


40  BIOGRAPHICAL   NOTICES. 

with  US  when  he  embarked  for  Petersburg,  —  so  that  the 
books  now  m  the  institution  amount  to  nearly  thirteen  thou- 
sand volumes,  which,  I  presume,  make  one  of  the  first  libra- 
ries in  the  United  States. 

"  On  the  class  of  books  relative  to  this  country,  —  on  their 
immense  value  in  a  literary  institution  in  the  metropolis  of 
New  England,  I  have  often  had  the  pleasure  to  converse 
with  you.  When  you  see  our  Catalogue,  you  will  find  that 
we  have  a  considerable  collection,  but  that  it  is  very  far 
from  being  complete.  It  is  a  favorite  object  of  mine  to 
collect  as  many  of  the  laws,  the  journals,  the  state  papers, 
the  maps,  reports  of  cases  decided  in  courts  of  justice,  and 
the  newspapers  published  in  each  State,  as  is  practicable. 
The  immense  advantages  of  such  a  collection  must  be  obvi- 
ous to  you.  I  have  a  thousand  thanks  to  oifer  you  for  the 
kind  interest  you  are  pleased  to  take  in  the  Athenaeum, 
and  particularly  for  your  exertions  in  aiding  us  in  this 
branch  of  the  institution.  Any  journals  of  your  legislature, 
any  state  papers,  any  pamphlets,  &c.  &c.,  that  you  may 
procure  for  us,  will,  I  assure  you,  be  most  gratefully  re- 
ceived and  acknowledged  by  the  Trustees  and  Proprietors, 
and  most  particularly  by  myself.  The  volumes  of  Journals 
which  your  friend,  the  Clerk,  has  been  good  enough  to  offer 
the  Athenaeum,  I  shall  consider  as  a  very  valuable  acqui- 
sition, and  wish  you  to  offer  in  the  name  of  the  institution 
our  most  grateful  acknowledgments. 

"  Files  of  old  newspapers  are  in  this  country  most  valuable 
historical  documents.  We  have  some  complete  files  printed 
in  Boston  as  early  as  1727,  but  for  three  years  only.  We 
then  go  down  to  years  1760,  from  which  time  to  the  present 
period  we  have  them  complete.  Is  it  possible  to  procure 
a  set  of  the  '  Balance,'  which  I  consider  an  immensely  able 
and  well-edited  paper  ?  Could  not  Mr.  Crosswell,  if  he 
were  to  be  made  acquainted  with  the  institution,  be  persuad- 


WILLIAM    SMITH   SHAW.  41 

ed  to  present  a  set  ?  Is  it  possible  to  procure  an  old  edi- 
tion of  the  Laws  of  New  York  ?  We  have  a  curious  copy 
of  the  Laws  of  Massachusetts,  pubhshed  in  1660,  at  Cam- 
bridge, with  the  following  title :  — '  The  Book  of  the  General 
Lawes  and  Libertyes  concerning  the  Inhabitants  of  the 
Massachuset,  collected  out  of  the  Records  of  the  General 
Court,'  &c.,  and  I  feel  a  great  inclination  to  procure  as 
early  an  edition  of  the  laws  of  the  different  States  in  the 
Union,  where  such  have  been  published.  Electioneering 
pamphlets  are  also  worthy  of  being  collected  and  preserved 
in  a  public  library.  By  the  way,  what  book  has  Mr. 
Piatt,  your  candidate  for  Governor,  written  ?  Can  you  pro- 
cure it  for  me  ?  The  Journals  of  the  Legislature,  after  all, 
are  the  most  important  object  of  collection.  If  you  will  be 
so  obliging  as  to  make  some  considerable  exertion  to  collect 
as  many  of  them  for  me  as  you  can,  you  will  do  me  and  the 
institution  a  great  favor." 

From  that  time  until  just  before  his  death,  he  occupied 
the  office  of  Librarian  and  general  superintendent,  and  ful- 
filled all  the  duties  incident  to  it  without  compensation  or 
reward.  On  the  contrary,  having  acquired  a  property,  by 
his  office  of  Clerk  of  the  District  Court,  more  than  ade- 
quate to  his  personal  wants,  he,  with  a  characteristic  indif- 
ference to  pecuniary  considerations  when  brought  into 
competition  with  his  master-passion,  so  connected  his  pri- 
vate property  with  that  of  the  Athenaeum,  by  the  purchase 
of  books,  medals,  and  coins,  that  at  his  death  it  was  quite 
impossible  satisfactorily  to  discriminate  the  one  from  the 
other.  His  executor,  brother-in-law,  and  legal  represen- 
tative, the  Rev.  Joseph  B.  Felt,  found  that  the  amount 
of  his  just  demands  against  the  Athenaeum  exceeded  ten 
thousand  dollars ;  it  being  capable  of  proof,  that,  in 
/ 


42  BIOGRAPHICAL  NOTICES. 

the  pui'chase  of  books,  coins,  and  medals,  he  had  expend- 
ed and  vested  in  the  Athenaeum  more  than  six  thou- 
sand dollars  of  his  own  property,  and  that  he  had  riglits  in 
other  portions  of  the  property  of  the  institution,  and,  above 
all,  in  that  large  and  most  valuable  collection  of  tracts,  of 
■which  he  had  always  retained  the  proprietorship,  —  all  which 
could  not  be  estimated  at  less  than  four  thousand  dollars. 
Under  these  circumstances,  Mr.  Felt,  feeling  satisfied  that 
it  was  the  intention  of  Mr.  Shaw  to  appropriate  this  por- 
tion of  his  property  for  the  benefit  of  the  Athenaeum,  and 
being  desirous  to  carry  into  effect  his  relative's  inten- 
tions, voluntarily  and  most  liberally  executed  a  release  of 
the  whole  claim,  and  thereby  constituted  Mr.  Shaw  a  bene- 
factor to  the  institution  of  that  amount. 

The  intensity  with  which  Mr.  Shaw  devoted  himself  to 
the  interests  of  the  Athenaeum,  and  the  universally  known 
personal  and  pecuniary  aid  he  thus  extended  to  it  during 
seventeen  or  eighteen  years  of  his  life,  obtained  for  him 
the  sobriquet  of  '  AthemTeum  Shaw,'  by  which  he  was  fre- 
quently and  familiarly  designated. 

Mr.  Shaw  did  not  aspire  to  the  fame  of  a  writer,  nor  to 
the  name  of  a  man  of  letters  ;  yet  his  talents,  though  un- 
pretending, were  far  from  being  of  a  common  order.  His 
taste  in  the  fine  arts  was  discriminating.  To  excite  in 
his  countrymen  an  interest  and  affection  for  them  was  his 
ceaseless,  untiring  endeavour.  His  knowledge  of  the 
relative  value  of  books,  coins,  and  medals,  was  accurate 
and  extensive.  His  reading  on  these  subjects  was  vari- 
ous ;  and,  as  his  memory  was  retentive,  he  was  well  fitted 
to  be  the  guide  of  others  in  antiquarian  and  historical  re- 
searches. As  a  friend  and  adviser,  he  was  eagerly  sought 
by  those  engaged  in  such  pursuits.  His  learning  and 
worth   were   seen   and  appreciated   by  his  associates  and 


WILLIAM   SMITH   SHAW.  43 

contemporaries.  Early  in  life,  he  was  chosen  a  member 
of  various  literary  societies  ;  in  1806,  of  the  Massachu- 
setts Historical  Society ;  in  1810,  of  the  American  Acade- 
my of  Arts  and  Sciences  ;  in  1813,  of  the  American  An- 
tiquarian Society ;  in  the  same  year,  of  the  New  York 
Historical  Society ;  and,  in  1815,  of  the  Linngean  Society, 
of  which  he  was  also  Vice-President. 

To  almost  every  public  institution  of  science,  literature, 
and  charity,  he  was  not  only  a  liberal  contributor,  but  readily 
took  upon  himself  the  irksome  and  thankless  office  of  so- 
licitor in  their  aid,  or  for  their  enlargement.  His  liberality 
was  not,  however,  restricted  to  the  gratification  of  his  taste 
or  of  his  peculiar  intellectual  propensity  ;  he  had  a  heart 
ahve,  and  a  hand  prepared  and  willing,  to  assist  any  useful 
or  charitable  object.  To  his  moi-e  immediate  relatives  and 
friends,  who,  at  any  time  required  his  aid,  "  his  donations," 
to  use  the  language  of  one  of  them,  "  were  jjrincely,  consid- 
ering the  proportion  of  his  means  to  the  claims  on  them." 
Whether  public  or  private,  whether  in  the  patronage  of  litera- 
ture, or  under  the  impulse  of  charity,  his  acts  were  without 
display  or  any  desire  of  notoriety.  His  delicacy  on  this 
point  was  extreme  and  characteristic.  Of  its  nature  and 
direction,  a  remarkable  evidence  exists,  which,  as  indicative 
of  his  known  practice  on  other  occasions,  ought  not  to  be 
omitted  here. 

In  the  year  1819,  that  distinguished  scholar,  the  late 
John  Pickering,  published  in  the  North  American  Review 
a  translation  of  Professor  Wyttenbach's  "  Observations  on 
the  Importance  of  Greek  Literature  and  the  best  Mode  of 
Studying  the  Classics."  This  work  was  subsequently  re- 
published, with  an  appropriate  preface  by  the  translator  ; 
and,  as  the  eulogist  of  Mr.  Pickering  asserts,  "  was  printed 
at  the  expense  of  that  kind-hearted  patron  of  letters,  and 


44  BIOGRAPHICAL  NOTICES. 

zealous  agent  in  founding  the  Boston  Athenaeum,  the  late 
iWilUam  S.  Shaw,  who  deserves  a  grateful  remembrance  in 
this  metropolis."  * 

The  latter  years  of  Mr.  Shaw's  life  were  oppressed  by 
sickness,  the  result  of  his  constitutional  infirmities,  which 
sometimes  wholly  separated  him  from  the  institution 
which  had  been  the  favorite,  and  almost  the  exclusive, 
object  of  his  Hfe.  He  died  in  Boston,  on  the  26th  of 
April,  1826,  in  the  forty-eighth  year  of  his  age;  after  a 
life  of  labor  and  usefulness,  devoted  to  the  advancement 
of  letters ;  entithng  him  to  the  character  of  a  faithful 
friend,  a  most  worthy  citizen,  and  a  zealous  and  disinter- 
ested public  benefactor. 

*See  the  "Eulogy  on  John  Pickering,  LL.  D.,  President  of  the  American 
Academy  of  Arts  and  Sciences,  delivered  before  the  Academy,  October  28, 
1846,  by  Daniel  Appleton  White." 


PETEE    OXENBKIDGE    THACHER 


SAMUEL  COOPER  THACHER. 


These  early  and  active  members  of  the  Anthology  So- 
ciety were  brothers.  Their  ancestor,  Thomas  Thacher, 
emigrated  to  New  England  in  1635,  and  became  pastor  of 
the  Old  South  Church,  in  Boston,  in  1670.  Many  of  his 
descendants  were  distinguished  in  colonial  times,  both  in 
church  and  state.  One  of  them,  Oxenbridge  Thacher,  a 
lawyer,  highly  respected  for  his  learning  and  moral  worth, 
held  the  first  rank  in  his  profession  in  Boston.  In  pohtical 
life  he  was  active,  and  his  influence  extensive.  He  was,  in 
1761,  joint  counsel  with  James  Otis,  for  the  Boston  and  Sa- 
lem merchants,  in  opposition  to  "writs  of  assistance."  Re- 
ferring to  the  efiects  of  their  arguments  on  this  occasion, 
the  late  President  John  Adams  asserted,  that  "  then  and 
there  was  the  first  scene  of  the  first  act  of  opposition  to  the 
arbitrary  claims  of  Great  Britain.  Then  and  there  the  child 
Independence  was  born.  In  fifteen  years,  i.  e.  1776,  he 
grew  up  to  manhood,  and  declared  himself  free."  * 

*  See  Tudor's  "  Life  of  Otis,"  pp.  57-61.     Also  "  Niles's   Register,"  Vol. 
XIV.  p.  17. 


46  BIOGRAPHICAL  NOTICES. 

Peter  Thacher,  his  son,  the  father  of  the  subjects  of 
this  notice,  was  pastor  of  the  Church  in  Brattle  Street,  in 
Boston,  and  was  distinguished  among  his  contemporaries 
for  his  oratorical  powers,  and  for  the  fluency  and  pathos 
of  his  devotional  exercises.  The  urbanity  of  his  manners, 
united  with  his  professional  zeal,  rendered  him  one  of  the 
most  popular  clergymen  of  the  period.  Peter  Oxenbridge 
Thacher,  liis  eldest  son,  was  born  in  Maiden,  Massachusetts,  in 
December,  1776,  was  graduated  at  Harvard  University  in 
1796,  and  was  admitted  to  the  Suffolk  bar  in  1803.  Hav- 
ing successfully  practised  his  profession  until  1823,  he  ac- 
cepted the  appointment  of  Judge  of  the  Municipal  Court 
of  the  City  of  Boston,  which  he  held  until  his  death,  in 
1843.  He  sustained  a  respectable  rank  in  his  profession, 
and  was  highly  esteemed  both  as  a  man  and  as  a  lawyer.  His 
integrity  and  exactness  in  business  were  the  foundation  of 
very  general  confidence,  both  with  his  clients  and  the  public. 
During  the  twenty  years  he  presided  over  the  judicial  in- 
terests of  the  City  of  Boston,  he  was  distinguished  for  un- 
compromising firmness  and  independence.  In  the  difficult 
and  often  critical  exercise  of  the  powers  intrusted  to  him, 
he  upheld  the  dignity  of  his  office,  and  maintained  the 
cause  of  justice  with  a  fearless  and  discriminating  spirit. 
A  volume  of  Reports  of  cases  adjudged  by  him  has  been 
published  since  his  death  from  a  manuscript  copy,  carefully 
prepared  by  him  for  publication  in  his  Hfetime,  and  consti- 
tutes an  imperishable  monument  of  his  discretion,  sound 
judgment,  and  laborious  fidelity. 

Samuel  Cooper  Thacher,  his  younger  brother,  was  born 
in  Boston,  on  the  14th  of  December,  1785,  and,  having 
been  prepared  for  College  at  the  Latin  Grammar  School 
of  his  native  town,  was  admitted  to  Harvard  University  in 
1800,  where  he  was  graduated  in  1804,  with  its  highest 
honors.     He  immediately  commenced  his  theological  stud- 


PETER  0.  THACHER  AND  SAMUEL  C.  THACHER.     47 

ies  under  the  direction  of  William  EUery  Channing,  and 
an  intimate  and  confidential  friendship  was  formed  between 
them,  which  subsisted  through  his  life. 

He  was,  as  has  been  already  stated,  one  of  the  first  mem- 
bers of  the  Anthology  Society,  and  at  their  first  meeting  was 
appointed  "  Editor  "  of  the  Monthly  Anthology ;  a  designa- 
tion, wliich,  at  his  special  motion,  Avas  subsequently  changed 
for  that  of  "  Superintending  Committee,"  Mr.  Thacher 
having  found  that  the  character  of  "  Editor  "  had  exposed 
him  to  a  responsibility  he  was  im willing  to  assume.  With 
this  modification,  he  held  and  executed  that  office  until 
June,  1806,  when  he  sailed  for  England,  at  the  request  of 
the  friends  of  the  Rev.  Joseph  Stevens  Buckminster,  whose 
critical  state  of  health  rendered  highly  important  a  compan- 
ion, like  Thacher,  ready  to  administer  relief,  or  procure  as- 
sistance, in  every  exigency. 

The  travellers  met  in  London,  and  soon  commenced  their 
tour  on  the  Continent.  They  remained  abroad  until  Au- 
gust, 1807,  and,  embarking  together  from  Liverpool,  ar- 
rived at  Boston  in  September. 

In  1808,  Mr.  Thacher  accepted  the  office  of  Librarian 
of  Harvard  University.  While  in  this  office  he  engaged 
in  the  theological  discussions  of  the  period,  availing  himself 
of  the  Monthly  Anthology  as  the  medium  of  communicat- 
ing his  views  to  the  public.  It  was  a  warfare  uncongenial 
to  his  temperament,  which  was  remarkably  mild  and  averse 
to  the  spirit  of  controversy,  but  he  felt  it  to  be  his  duty  to 
enter  upon  the  defence  of  what  he  regarded  as  the  great 
principles  of  truth  and  freedom. 

He  entered,  about  this  time,  upon  the  duties  of  the  pul- 
pit, and  the  impression  he  made  on  the  public  by  the  just- 
ness of  his  sentiments,  the  warmth  of  his  devotion,  and  the 
gracefulness  of  his  delivery,  was  deep  and  general. 

On  the  removal  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Kirkland,  from  the  New 


48  BIOGRAPHICAL  NOTICES. 

South  Church,  in  Boston,  to  the  Presidency  of  Harvard 
University,  Mr.  Thacher  accepted  a  'call  from  that  society, 
and  was  ordained  in  May,  1811.  "  He  realized,"  says  his 
biographer,  "  the  highest  conception  of  a  good  pastor ;  giv- 
ing himself  to  reading,  to  exhortation,  to  instruction ;  gen- 
tle unto  all  men ;  and  an  example  to  the  believers,  in  conver- 
sation, in  spirit,  in  faith,  in  purity." 

His  physical  constitution  did  not,  however,  prove  equal 
to  the  duties  he  had  undertaken.  In  the  course  of  a  year 
declining  health  caused  a  temporary  suspension  of  his  of- 
ficial labors,  during  which  he  was  called  to  lament,  with 
other  friends  of  science  and  religion,  the  loss  both  had  sus- 
tained by  the  early  death  of  Joseph  Stevens  Buckminster. 
The  hfe  and  character  of  tliis  beloved  companion  and 
friend  he  delineated  with  great  fehcity  of  language,  justice, 
and  truth,  in  a  Memoir  prefixed  to  a  volume  of  Mr.  Buck- 
minster's  Discourses,  published  in  1814. 

Mr.  Thacher  was  not  destined  long  to  survive  him.  In 
the  autumn  of  1815,  the  tendency  of  his  constitution  to 
pulmonary  disease  became  critical  and  alarming.  By  the 
advice  of  his  physicians,  he  sought  relief  in  a  voyage  to 
England,  afterwards  to  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope,  and  finally 
in  a  residence  at  MouHns,  the  chief  town  of  the  department 
of  the  AUier,  in  France,  where  his  life  terminated  on  the 
2d  of  January,  1818. 

The  combination  of  high  powers  of  mind  with  the  most 
amiable  quahties  of  the  heart,  which  rendered  Samuel 
Cooper  Tliacher  uncommonly  dear,  and  his  loss  generally 
regretted  by  his  contemporaries,  has  been  well  portrayed  by 
the  late  Dr.  Greenwood.  One  of  the  most  eloquent  and 
touching  memoirs  in  our  language,  from  his  pen,  is  prefixed 
to  a  volume  of  Mr,  Thacher's  Sermons,  published  in  1824; 
which  will  well  reward  those  who  can  take  an  interest  in 
perusing  the  fife  of  a  gifted  man  and  exemplary  Christian, 
illustrated  by  one  of  kindred  worth,  feeUng,  and  genius. 


JOSEPH  STEVENS  BUCKMINSTER 


Joseph  Stevens  Buckminster  was  the  son  of  the  Rev. 
Dr.  Joseph  Buckminster  of  Portsmouth,  New  Hampshu-e  ;  a 
clergyman  distinguished  for  intellectual  power,  and  for  those 
qualities  of  mind  and  heart  which  render  a  pastor  useful 
and  beloved.  He  married  Sarah  Stevens,  the  daughter  of 
the  Rev.  Dr.  Stevens,  of  Kitterj,  whom  her  contempora- 
ries represent  as  possessing,  in  a  high  degree,  the  virtues 
which  dignify  and  adorn  the  female  character.  Their  son 
was  born  on  the  26th  of  Maj,  1784,  and  discovered,  even 
in  childhood,  uncommon  mental  precociousness,  which  his 
father  directed  and  restrained  with  singular  judgment  and 
fidelity.  At  four  years  old  his  love  of  books  and  desire 
of  knowledge  were  extraordinary,  and  gave  promise  of  dis- 
positions and  powers  which  his  manhood  did  not  disappoint. 
At  that  age  he  began  the  study  of  the  Latin  Grammar, 
and,  at  his  earnest  sohcitation,  he  was  permitted  by  his 
father  to  be  introduced  to  the  first  elements  of  Greek. 
The  earliest  developements  of  his  mind  evidenced  great 
strength  of  the  pious  afiections.  Between  the  age  of  five 
and  seven  years  he  was  accustomed,  in  the  absence  of  his 
father,  to  assemble  the  domestics  of  the  family,  and,  with 
great  earnestness  and  solemnity,  to  read  to  them  a  sermon, 
repeat  the  Lord's  Prayer,  and  sing  a  hymn ;  to  which  they 
g 


60  BIOGRAPHICAL   NOTICES. 

always  listened  with  attention.  He  received,  until  ten 
years  of  age,  the  rudiments  of  his  education  at  the  Gram- 
mar School  in  Portsmouth,  and  was  then  transferred  to 
Phillips  Exeter  Academy,  where,  at  the  age  of  twelve,  he 
was  prepared  for  College.  He  was,  however,  restrained 
from  ofiFering  liimself  for  admission  until  the  succeeding 
year,  when  he  entered  the  Sophomore  Class  in  Harvard  Uni- 
versity, in  1797.  His  whole  collegiate  course  was  emi- 
nently distinguished  for  moral  principle  and  uncommon 
genius,  united  to  unremitting  industry.  He  was  graduated 
in  1800,  with  high  honors ;  the  oration,  which  he  delivered 
on  the  occasion,  being  marked  alike  for  solidity  of  thought, 
brilliancy  of  imagination,  and  grace  of  delivery. 

Having  spent  about  two  years  as  assistant  instructor  in 
Phillips  Exeter  Academy,  he  became  for  one  year  instruc- 
tor in  a  private  family.  While  thus  employed,  he  also  went 
over  with  great  care  and  judgment  an  extensive  field  of 
theological  study.  On  appearing  as  a  candidate  for  the 
ministry,  he  was  immediately  called,  at  the  age  of  twenty, 
to  the  charge  of  the  Church  in  Brattle  Street,  Boston ;  and 
was  ordained  on  the  oOth  of  January,  1805.  His  connec- 
tion with  that  church  was  of  the  most  satisfactory  and  in- 
teresting character.  The  eloquence  and  genius  displayed 
in  his  public  discourses  were  unrivalled  ;  and,  although  he 
was  exemplary  in  fulfilling  his  pastoral  duties,  yet  he  found 
leisure  to  attend  to  the  interests  of  literature,  as  well  as  the 
duties  of  charity  and  of  the  pulpit.  The  style  of  his  preach- 
ing was  neither  exclusive  nor  dogmatical.  He  made  it  the 
chief  object  of  his  discourses  to  render  religion  of  practical 
efficiency  in  guiding  the  conduct  of  life.  Towards  philolo- 
gy the  bent  of  his  mind  was  forcible,  with  a  particular  ref- 
erence to  enlarging  and  facilitating  the  means  of  under- 
standing the  sacred  Scriptures  ;  and  in  consequence  the 
President  and  Fellows  of  Harvard  College  elected  him,  in 


JOSEPH  STEVENS  BUCKMINSTEK.  51 

1811,  to  the  office  of  Lecturer  on  Biblical  Criticism  in 
that  institution.  A  plan  of  a  Course  of  Lectures  on  this 
subject  was  sketched  by  him,  but  its  completion  was  pre- 
vented by  his  premature  death. 

Of  the  Anthology  Society  he  was  one  of  the  earliest  and 
most  zealous  members,  and  to  the  periodical  work  they  con- 
ducted a  frequent  contributor.  In  all  the  measures  leading 
to  the  establishment  of  the  Boston  Athenseum,  and  for  the 
promotion  of  its  interests  after  its  incorporation,  his  in- 
fluence was  earnest,  assiduous,  and  efficient.  He  was  the 
dear  and  intimate  friend  of  William  Smith  Shaw,  and  zeal- 
ously seconded  his  views  and  exertions  in  the  establishment 
of  that  institution. 

In  the  years  1806  and  1807  Mr.  Buckminster  was  ab- 
sent from  the  United  States,  visiting  England  and  the  Con- 
tinent for  the  benefit  of  his  health.  The  correspondence 
between  him  and  his  friend  Shaw  graphically  exhibits  the 
zeal  with  which  they  both  pursued  the  advancement  of 
the  interests  of  the  Athenaeum,  and  their  strong  affection 
for  each  other  and  for  their  associates.  In  June,  1806, 
Mr.  Buckminster  writes  from  London  to  this  friend : 
"  England,  with  all  her  learning,  luxury,  and  arts,  has 
not  yet  furnished  me  with  any  pleasure  equivalent  to 
that  which  I  rehnquished,  when  I  broke  away  from  the 
circle  of  the  beloved  acquaintance  in  Boston,  who  were 
bound  to  me  by  all  the  enthusiasm  of  literature,  by  the 
habits  of  daily  intimacy,  by  similarity  of  pursuits  and  of 
age,  and  by  the  still  finer  ties  of  that  holy  affection  in  which 
Cicero  has  written  that  golden  treatise  on  Friendship,  and,  I 
believe  I  may  also  add,  by  the  bonds  of  Christian  charity 
and  love."  In  a  passage  of  this  letter,  which  has  already 
been  inserted  in  this  work,  *  he  expresses  his  earnest  solici- 
tude for  the  literary  progress  of  his  country. 

*  See  History  of  Athenseum,  page  10. 


52  BIOGRAPHICAL  NOTICES. 

The  taste  and  judgment  with  which  he  executed  his  or- 
ders to  purchase  books  for  the  Boston  Athenseum,  as  also  his 
spirit  of  economy,  and  regard  for  utility,  in  his  purchases, 
are  strongly  delineated  in  his  letters.  "  I  have,"  he  writes 
in  one  of  them,  dated  the  3d  of  April,  1807,  "  exceeded 
by  more  than  £  30  sterhng  my  commission  and  your  bill  of 
exchange.  If  you  disapprove  the  purchases,  you  are  wel- 
come to  return  them  to  me  when  I  reach  America."  The 
principles,  on  which  he  sought  to  promote  the  interests  of  the 
Athen?eum,  and  which  guided  his  influence,  form  a  frequent 
topic  of  his  letters.  "  I  send  out,"  he  writes,  "  about  a 
dozen  works,  because  they  are  new ;  it  should  be  an  im- 
portant object  in  your  establishment  to  take  almost  all  the 
new  publications 

"  I  am  in  great  doubt  about  applying  to  any  societies 
here  for  an  exchange  of  publications,  for,  alas !  what  have 
we  to  exchange  with  them  ?  The  Bath,  Manchester,  Dub- 
lin, etc.,  Society  papers  are  extremely  valuable,  but  I  think 
our  funds  are  not  sufficient  to  procure  them.  We  must,  at 
least  for  some  time,  think  of  popularity ;  and  I  know  of  no 
method  so  likely  to  procure  it  as  to  keep  our  rooms  furnish- 
ed with  abundance  of  magazines,  pamphlets,  and  neiv  booJcs. 
This,  I  am  satisfied,  should  be  our  primary  object ;  and  our 
second,  to  lay  slowly  and  secretly  the  foundation  of  a 
permanent  library  of  works  difficult  to  be  procured  in 
America." 

In  June,  1807,  the  purpose  of  erecting  an  edifice  out  of 
the  first  subscriptions  for  the  Athenaeum  was  one  of  the 
avowed  and  among  the  most  cherished  objects  of  the  sub- 
scribers. In  that  month,  Buckminster  wrote  to  Shaw  from 
Europe  :  "Do  not  build  a  new  edifice  unless  you  can  raise 
money  enough  to  erect  an  elegant,  classical  building,  en- 
tirely of  stone,  or  with  a  stone  fa§ade."  The  judgment 
with  which  he  criticizes  many  of  the  principal  works,  and 


JOSEPH  STEVENS  BUCKMINSTER.  63 

■which  appears  in  the  reasons  he  adduces  for  the  purchase  of 
some  and  the  rejection  of  others,  is  highly  praiseworthy,  and 
shows  both  his  acquaintance  with  those  works,  and  the  heart- 
felt interest  by  which  he  was  actuated  in  respect  to  the 
Athenaeum. 

Mr.  Buckminster's  absence  in  Europe,  continued  for  a 
year,  checked,  in  a  slight  degree,  that  constitutional  ten- 
dency to  epilepsy  which  had  excited  the  anxiety  of  his 
friends.  But,  on  recommencing  his  official  duties,  his  mala- 
dy returned,  and  on  the  9th  of  June,  1812,  terminated  fa- 
tally, when  he  had  just  completed  his  twenty-eighth  year. 
The  fond  hopes  of  his  friends,  and  the  ardent  anticipations  of 
his  long-continued  usefulness,  entertained  by  his  congregation 
and  the  public,  were  suddenly  blasted.  To  use  the  beautiful 
and  appropriate  language  of  one  of  his  biographers,  "  He 
fell  in  the  bright  morning  of  his  virtues,  his  fame,  and  his 
usefulness,  '  purpureus  veluti  cum  flos  succisus  aratro.'  "  * 

*  This  notice  was  prepared  for  the  press,  in  connection  with  the  History  of 

the  AthensRum,  two  years  since  ;  the  printing  of  which,  after  having  been  at  that 
time  commenced,  was  unavoidably  postponed  by  circumstances  for  which  the 
writer  is  not  responsible.  During  this  interval,  "  Memoirs  of  the  Rev.  Joseph 
Buckminster  and  Rev.  Joseph  Stevens  Buckminster,  by  Eliza  Buckminster 
Lee,"  have  been  issued  from  the  press.  This  touching  tribute  of  duty  and  affec- 
tion, which  elucidates  the  virtues  and  talents  of  those  eminent  men  with  ap- 
propriate feeling  and  beauty  of  illustration,  deserves  to  be  read  entire;  and, 
as  it  has  not,  therefore,  been  deemed  just  to  extract  detached  parts  of  that 
interesting  work,  this  sketch  has  been  published  as  originally  prepared. 


WILLIAM  TUDOR. 


The  family  of  Tudor  is  of  Welsh  origin.  John  Tu- 
dor, the  first  of  the  name  in  Boston,  came  to  America,  with 
his  mother,  while  yet  a  child.  Being  educated  with  great 
strictness,  he  acquired  habits  of  economy,  and  accumulated 
what,  in  those  days,  was  regarded  as  affluence  ;  and  he  was 
highly  esteemed  by  his  contemporaries.  His  son,  William 
Tudor,  was  graduated  at  Harvard  College,  in  1769,  and, 
after  pursuing  his  professional  studies  in  the  office  of  John 
Adams,  commenced  the  practice  of  the  law  in  Boston 
during  that  period  of  political  agitation  which  preceded  the 
American  Revolution.  On  the  occurrence  of  hostilities,  he 
entered  the  American  army,  and  was  appointed  Judge  Ad- 
vocate, an  office  which  he  held  two  years  ;  when,  quitting 
the  service,  he  resumed  the  practice  of  the  law,  and  mar- 
ried Delia  Jarvis,  a  lady  of  taste  and  refinement  congenial 
with  his  own. 

Wilham  Tudor,  their  son,  the  subject  of  this  biographical 
notice,  was  bom  in  Boston  on  the  28th  of  January,  1779, 
was  educated  at  Phillips  Academy  in  Andover,  and  gradu- 
ated at  Harvard  College  in  1796.  Being  destined  for 
mercantile  life,  he  entered  the  counting-room  of  John  Cod- 
man,  one  of  the  most  eminent  and  successful  merchants  of 


WILLIAM   TUDOR.  55 

Boston,  where  he  continued,  wmning  the  affection  and  con- 
fidence of  his  employer,  until  he  was  deemed  qualified  for 
duties  involving  higher  responsibility. 

The  trustworthiness  of  his  character  was  early  establish- 
ed, and,  notwithstanding  successive  disappointments  in  his 
mercantile  enterprises,  he  never  forfeited  it.  The  firmness 
of  his  principle  may  be  readily  traced  to  the  excellence  of 
his  early  domestic  education  ;  which  had  also  an  unques- 
tionable influence  in  instilling  into  his  mind  a  love  for  litera- 
ry pursuits,  not  easily  associated  with  those  of  gain,  and 
with  projects  for  mercantile  advancement. 

His  parents  were  intellectual  in  their  tastes,  and  social 
and  refined  in  their  habits.  That  distant  and  reserved 
demeanour,  partaking  occasionally  of  severity,  by  which  the 
intercourse  of  parents  and  children  were,  in  the  early  times 
of  New  England,  characterized,  was  inconsistent  with  their 
feelings  and  principles.  In  the  spirit  of  companionship, 
rather  than  of  authority,  they  treated  their  children  with  a 
tenderness  bordering  on  indulgence  ;  and  cultivated  in 
them  a  sense  of  duty  and  of  social  and  moral  obligation  by 
the  beauty  and  force  of  their  own  example,  more  than  by 
formal  precept.  In  religious  opmion  they  were  Episcopa- 
lians, of  that  division  which  has  since  obtained  the  name 
of  High  Church,  and  their  views  on  tliis  subject  were 
cheerful,  charitable,  and  free  from  all  bigotry  and  in- 
tolerance. The  quahties  of  the  mind  and  heart  of  their 
son  were  such  as  these  happy  domestic  influences  were 
adapted  to  produce.  They  united  purity  of  motive  with 
elevation  of  sentiment,  and  rendered  him,  in  after  life, 
an  object  of  affectionate  regard  in  every  circle  in  which 
he  was  cast.  At  school,  at  College,  in  the  counting- 
room,  and  in  the  legislative  hall,  he  was  ahke  the  object 
of  esteem  ;  to  which  also  his  gentlemanly  demeanour  and 
amiable  temperament,  ever  welling  out  in  language  and 
acts  of  kindness,  largely  contributed. 


66  BIOGRAPHICAL  NOTICES. 

No  sooner  had  young  Tudor  attained  the  age  of  man- 
hood, and  before  he  had  completed '  the  years  of  his  mer- 
cantile education,  he  was  selected  by  Mr.  Codman,  and 
sent  to  Paris  as  his  confidential  agent,  on  a  matter  of 
great  interest  and  deUcacy ;  and,  although  in  this  mission 
his  exertions  were  not  successful,  it  was  not  attributable 
to  any  want  of  assiduity  or  attention,  and  he  continued  to 
retain  the  confidence  of  his  employer. 

He  resided,  at  this  period,  nearly  a  year  in  Europe, 
chiefly  in  Paris  ;  and,  his  associations  being,  as  far  as  possi- 
ble, with  men  of  Hterary  taste  and  education,  his  disposi- 
tion toward  letters  was  strengthened,  and  the  turn  of  his 
thoughts  gradually  became  directed  to  subjects  of  general 
social  interest  and  progress,  which,  if  not  adapted  to  im- 
pede, were  certainly  not  suited  to  promote,  mercantile  en- 
deavours and  hopes  of  success. 

These,  however,  he  did  not  abandon  ;  but  on  his  return 
to  America,  having  induced  his  father  to  advance  a  small 
capital,  he  sailed  for  Leghorn,  and  thus  brought  himself 
again  into  the  vicinity  of  scenes  adapted  to  foster  that 
love  of  science  and  of  letters,  in  which  Ins  soul  began  to 
^^  be  absorbed. 

Although  the  particular  project,  in  which  this  voyage  origi- 
nated, also  failed,  yet  he  gratified  and  improved  his  taste  by 
a  year's  residence  in  Italy,  and  subsequently  found  means, 
while  engaged  in  other  mercantile  enterprises,  to  enlarge  his 
sphere  of  information  by  visiting  France,  Germany,  Hol- 
land, and  England ;  and  his  letters  to  his  American  corre- 
spondents, and  his  journals,  gave  permanency  to  the  impres- 
sions he  received  while  abroad.  He  returned  to  Amer- 
ica with  his  love  of  letters  confirmed  by  his  European  tour. 
The  idea  of  forming  a  literary  club,  which  was  then  con- 
templated by  some  of  his  friends  and  associates,  was 
in  harmony  with  his  feelings  and  views ;  and  he  entered 


WILLIAM    TUDOR.  57 

with  spirit  into  the  project,  and  became  one  of  the  earliest 
and  most  efficient  members  of  the  Anthology  Society,  by 
donations  to  their  library,  by  communicating  his  European 
letters,  and  by  other  contributions  to  their  periodical  publi- 
cation. 

Mr.  Tudor  was,  however,  soon  separated  from  his  litera- 
ry associates  by  accepting  a  commercial  agency  for  the 
West  Indies.  In  the  year  1805,  his  brother,  Frederic 
Tudor,  formed  the  plan  of  establishing  a  new  branch  of  com- 
merce by  the  transportation  of  ice  to  tropical  cUmates. 
The  project  was  unprecedented,  and,  when  suggested,  was 
encountered  with  doubt  and  even  ridicule  by  the  pubUc 
and  his  own  family.  But,  undaunted  by  opposition,  Fred- 
eric Tudor  persevered.  He  planned  and  furnished  the 
outfit  for  a  voyage  to  the  West  Indies,  and  took  upon  him- 
self the  expense  and  risk  of  an  attempt  to  secure  a 
monopoly  of  the  trade,  necessary  to  justify  the  expendi- 
ture requisite  for  erecting  ice-houses  in  several  places  of 
deposit.  William  Tudor,  as  his  agent,  having  James 
Savage  for  his  associate,  embarked,  in  prosecution  of  this 
design,  for  the  West  Indies,  in  November,  1805,  and  em- 
ployed seven  months  in  visiting  several  of  the  islands.  In 
reference  to  his  conduct  in  this  negotiation,  Mr.  Savage 
states,  "  that  his  large  acquaintance  with  mankind  and 
dignified  address  served  him  essentially."  Although  only 
partial  success  attended  these  first  efforts,  his  zeal  and 
fidelity  in  his  endeavours  were  highly  satisfactory  to  his 
employer.  Frederic  Tudor,  though  disappointed  as  to 
that  general  cooperation,  which  he  had  anticipated  from 
the  different  governors  of  the  West  Indies,  adhered  to 
his  purpose,  in  the  steady  prosecution  of  which  he  finally 
triumphed  over  all  obstacles.     He  established   the  traffic, 

acquired  in  it  great  affluence  for  himself,  and  created  for 
k 


68  BIOGRAPHICAL  NOTICES. 

his  country  an  important  branch  of  commerce,  of  -which 
he  was  unquestionably  the  author  and  founder. 

On  his  return  from  the  West  Indies,  WilUam  Tudor  re- 
joined the  Anthology  Club,  was  chosen  a  member  of  the 
Massachusetts  Legislature  for  the  town  of  Boston,  and,  at 
the  request  of  its  authorities,  deUvered  an  oration,  on  the 
4th  of  July,  1809.  He  also  prepared  an  address  to  be  spok- 
en before  the  Phi  Beta  Kappa  Society  at  Harvard  College  in 
1810,  which  was  pubUshed,  although  its  dehvery  was  pre- 
vented by  his  departure  for  Europe.  In  the  summer  of  this 
year,  he  was  employed  by  Stephen  Higginson,  junior,  an 
eminent  Boston  merchant,  as  his  agent,  in  an  attempt  to 
force  large  quantities  of  Enghsh  manufactures  into  the  Conti- 
nent of  Europe,  in  despite  of  the  hostile  decrees  of  Bonaparte 
against  the  rights  of  neutrals.  The  soldier  and  sove- 
reign was,  however,  too  vigilant  and  powerful.  The  de- 
feat of  the  enterprise,  although  it  occasioned  great  loss  to 
the  principal,  imphcated  Mr.  Tudor  in  no  blame.  With 
characteristic  spirit,  he  immediately  engaged  with  Samuel 
Williams,  then  American  consul  in  London,  and  with  some 
other  Americans,  in  an  attempt  to  estabhsh  at  Birming- 
ham the  manufacture  of  cut  nails.  This  project  was  also  un- 
successful, and  Mr.  Tudor  returned  to  the  United  States  to 
devote  liis  thoughts  to  pursuits  more  kindred  to  his  genius. 

General  Uterature  and  the  political  relations  of  his  coun- 
try now  became  the  exclusive  objects  of  his  attention.  To 
open  a  field  for  their  successful  pursuit  he  formed,  in  1814, 
the  design  of  establishing  the  "  North  American  Review," 
which  still  continues  a  noble  monument  of  his  industry  and 
intellectual  power.  The  prospectus,  issued  in  December, 
1814,  is  said  to  have  been  from  his  pen,  and  combines  with 
comprehensiveness  and  terseness  all  the  circumstances 
which  rendered  such  a  publication  desirable  and  useful. 

In  May,  1815,  this  pubhcation  made  its  first  appearance 


WILLIAM   TUDOR.  69 

from  the  press.  Mr.  Tudor  took  upon  himself,  avo-wedly, 
the  character  of  editor,  and  sustained  the  work  -with  httle 
external  aid.  Of  the  first  four  volumes,  three  fourths  are 
known  to  be  wholly  from  his  pen. 

Notwithstanding  the  occupation  incident  to  this  under- 
taking, he  found  leisure,  in  the  course  of  the  year  1818,  to 
write,  and  in  1819  issued  from  the  press  a  volume  of  "  Let- 
ters on  the  Eastern  States  "  ;  a  work  characteristic  of  the 
author's  pecuharities  of  mind  and  modes  of  thought. 

In  1823,  Mr.  Tudor  published  the  "  Life  of  James  Otis," 
in  which  he  embraces,  not  only  the  leading  events  of  this  pa- 
triot's career,  but  also  notices,  with  graphic  delineations,  the 
characters  of  some  of  the  most  distingmshed  political  actors 
of  that  period.  On  this  account  the  work  has  an  exten- 
sive interest,  and  may  well  be  regarded  as  a  history  of 
the  times. 

In  the  same  year,  Mr.  Tudor  conceived  the  design  of 
erecting  on  Bunker  Hill  a  monument,  in  commemoration  of 
the  great  conflict  of  the  17th  of  June,  1775,  which,  from 
the  spirit  and  temper  it  inspired,  contributed,  more  per- 
haps than  any  other  event,  to  the  Independence  of  the 
United  States.  The  following  circumstances  first  suggest- 
ed the  idea  to  his  mind.  It  came  to  his  knowledge  acci- 
dentally, that  a  part  of  that  hill  was  to  be  sold  ;  and  he  as- 
certained, on  inquiry,  that  the  residue  embraced  the  spot  on 
which  the  American  redoubt  had  been  raised,  and  where 
Warren  fell,  and  that  this  might  probably  then  be  purchased. 
Being  destitute  himself  of  pecuniary  means  sufficient  to  jus- 
tify his  engaging  personally  in  the  project,  he  immediately 
applied  to  individuals,  whose  resources  were  adequate  to 
the  object,  and  whose  spirit  he  knew  was  capable  of  appre- 
ciating the  opportunity  and  its  importance. 

Dr.  John  Collins  Warren,  Thomas  Handasyd  Perkins, 
Daniel  Webster,  William  SuUivan,  Theodore  Lyman,  junior, 


60  BIOGKAPHICAL  NOTICES. 

and  William  Swett,  to  whom  he  first  communicated  his 
purpose,  expressed  cordially  their  approbation  of  it.  The 
letter  Mr.  Tudor  addressed  to  Dr.  Warren  on  the  subject 
has  been  kindly  communicated  by  him  for  this  publication. 
The  letter  is  without  other  date  than  "  Sunday,  1823," 
and  was  written  in  the  early  part  of  that  year.  After 
dwelling  upon  the  difficulties  of  efiecting  the  purchase  (the 
site  of  the  battle  being  owned  by  several  proprietors),  and 
the  best  mode  of  surmounting  them,  Mr.  Tudor  pro- 
ceeds :  — 

"  I  feel  reluctant  to  engage  you,  by  any  persuasion  of 
mine,  to  run  the  risk  of  making  the  purchase  of  the  lot, 
now  for  sale  ;  and  I  think  it  would  be  inexpedient  for  me  to 
go  over  the  preliminary  grounds  with  the  other  gentlemen. 
It  was  a  sudden  impulse  on  hearing  of  this  sale,  arising, 
however,  from  many  previous  reveries  and  wishes  on  the 
subject,  which  led  me  to  speak  upon  it ;  for  I  had  made  a 
vow,  that,  until  I  was  able  myself  to  subscribe  to  a  public 
object,  I  would  never  solicit  any  others,  —  and  that,  in 
my  powerless  situation,  there  was  something  ridiculous  in 
attempting  to  imtronize  the  public, —  this  by  way  of  paren- 
thesis. 

"  The  gentlemen  I  spoke  with,  Perkins,  Webster,  Lyman, 
and  Swett,  seemed  to  enter  into  it  readily  enough,  which 
leads  me  to  think  that  my  ideas  were  not  wholly  extrava- 
gant. No  one  has  so  large  an  interest  in  the  matter  as 
yourself,  and  your  volunteering  in  the  outset  would,  I  think, 
have  a  good  effect  on  a  fcAV  such  as  I  have  mentioned, 
though  it  would  not  be  expedient  to  mention  it  to  the  world 
at  large  ;  and  therefore,  if  the  purchase  should  be  made,  it 
would  be  best  to  keep  names  out  of  sight  at  first. 

"  This  seems  to  me  to  be  a  subject  on  which  public  feel- 
ing might  be  very  considerably  excited,  sufficiently  so  as  to 


WILLIAM   TUDOR.  61 

secure  the  purpose  in  view ;  and  I  think  there  are  many 
motives  of  expediency  for  attempting  this  excitement.  I 
can  only  say  that  I  will  cheerfully  labor  to  carry  the  design 
into  effect ;  and,  as  my  idea  would  be  to  make  the  monu- 
ment grow  from  universal  contribution,  I  could  in  this  case 
contribute  the  same  mite,  by  way  of  subscription,  which  is 
all  I  think  that  would  be  wanted  in  the  business,  if  the 
feeling  of  the  State  could  be  roused.  I  should  like  to  see 
the  noblest  column  in  the  world  on  that  hill,  supporting  a 
colossal  statue  of  your  immortal  relative ;  but  as  to  the 
probability  you  must  judge  for  yourself,  and  in  any  event 
not  accuse  me  of  leading  you  into  a  scrape.  I  am  yours 
truly,  W.  Tudor." 

Immediately  upon  the  receipt  of  this  letter,  Dr.  Warren 
authorized  the  purchase  of  the  site.  A  meeting  of  the 
gentlemen  above  named,  with  Wilham  Prescott  and  others, 
was  called,  and  the  first  organized  arrangements  were  made, 
which  terminated  in  the  construction  of  the  monument  now 
standing  on  Bunker  Hill.  In  the  subsequent  measures  for 
effecting  that  object,  Mr.  Tudor  was  precluded  from  parti- 
cipating, having  received  the  appointment  of  Consul  for  the 
United  States  at  Lima  and  the  ports  of  Peru,  and  em- 
barked for  his  destination  in  November  of  the  same  year 
(1823)  ;  after  which  departure  he  never  returned  to  the 
United  States.  His  zeal  and  promptitude  in  the  undertak- 
ing, and  the  patriotic  spirit  he  manifested,  entitle  him  to  be 
commemorated  as  one  of  the  earUest  efficient  authors  of 
its  success. 

Mr.  Tudor,  during  his  residence  on  the  Pacific  coast  of 
South  America,  was  a  witness  of  the  convulsions,  which 
preceded  the  separation  of  those  colonies  from  the  domin- 
ion of  Spain  ;  and  his  appointment  as  American  Consul  was 
recognized  by  the  first  republican  government  formed  after 


62  BIOGRAPHICAL    NOTICES. 

the  expulsion  of  the  Spanish  dynasty.  The  circumstances 
of  the  period,  during  the  violent  agitations  attendant  on 
the  successive  changes  of  government,  and  the  alternate 
predominance  and  subjection  of  rival  factions,  rendered  his 
position  singularly  critical.  His  judgment  and  discretion 
were  equal  to  the  emergency.  His  manners  were  concilia- 
tory, and  his  spirit  wisely  attempered  to  the  times.  Main- 
taining the  rights  of  his  own  country,  he  was  just  to  those 
of  the  respective  parties,  as  they  rose  to  power  and  fell 
from  it.  With  the  leaders  of  the  patriotic  party  he  acquir- 
ed popularity,  and  ultimately  inspired  them  with  such  confi- 
dence, that  they  constituted  him  their  organ  of  communi- 
cation with  the  government  of  the  United  States,  soliciting 
its  influence  in  mediating  a  reconciliation  between  the  Re- 
publics of  Colombia  and  Peru,  then  engaged  in  actual  hos- 
tilities. 

At  the  same  period,  on  the  Atlantic  coast  of  South 
America,  the  war  between  the  Brazilian  government  and 
the  Republic  of  Buenos  Ayres  had  led  to  insults  and  dep- 
redation upon  American  commerce,  which  demanded  from 
the  government  of  the  United  States  an  efficient  interposi- 
tion of  its  authority.  The  qualifications  of  Mr.  Tudor  for 
this  service  were  conspicuous  and  acknowledged ;  and,  in  the 
summer  of  1827,  he  received  the  appointment  of  Charge 
d'Afiaires  of  the  United  States  at  Rio  Janeiro.  His 
health  did  not,  however,  allow  him  to  repair  to  his  new  sta- 
tion until  the  summer  of  1828.  In  this  place  he  soon  ac- 
quired the  same  consideration  and  influence,  by  which  his 
mission  to  Peru  had  been  distinguished.  Contrary  to  all  ex- 
pectation he  negotiated  with  the  government  of  the  country, 
at  Rio  Janeiro,  an  arrangement  of  indemnity  for  spohations 
on  American  commerce,  on  principles  so  approved  and  satis- 
factory, that  it  received,  by  a  unanimous  vote,  the  concur- 
rence of  the  Senate  of  the  United  States. 

While  resident  at  Rio  Janeiro,  Mr.  Tudor  wrote   and 


WILLIAM  TUDOR.  63 

transmitted  to  Boston,  for  publication,  a  ^york  of  imagina- 
tion, entitled  "Gebel  Teir  "  ;  the  name  of  a  mountain  on  the 
east  bank  of  the  Nile,  on  which,  according  to  an  Arabian 
legend,  the  birds  from  all  the  countries  of  the  world  annu- 
ally assemble  for  the  purpose  of  council  and  debate.  On 
this  legend  Mr.  Tudor  constructed  an  allegory,  -which  he 
made  the  medium  of  communicating,  by  way  of  report  to 
this  imaginary  assembly  of  birds,  his  views  and  opinions 
concerning  the  state  and  policy  of  the  United  States  and 
of  the  leading  European  nations.  In  this  form,  he  obtain- 
ed the  power  of  giving  a  freedom  and  pointedness  to  his 
animadversions,  which  would  have  been  in  any  other  mode 
unattainable. 

This  work  was  Mr.  Tudor's  last  pubhcation,  and  his  trea- 
ty with  the  Court  of  Rio  Janeiro  was  the  last  of  the  public 
services  he  was  permitted  to  render  his  country.  On  the 
9th  of  March,  1830,  he  died  of  a  fever  incident  to  the 
climate,  and,  on  the  12th  of  the  same  month,  his  obsequies 
were  attended  by  the  chief  officers  of  the  Court  of  Rio 
Janeiro,  by  all  the  public  functionaries  there  resident,  by 
the  English  and  French  commanders  of  the  ships  of 
those  nations,  then  in  the  harbour,  and  by  all  the  resi- 
dent Americans.  The  qualities  of  the  gentleman  and  the 
man  of  business,  of  the  scholar  and  the  man  of  the 
world,  were  so  manifestly  and  so  happily  blended  in 
William  Tudor,  that  both  in  public  conduct  and  private 
intercourse  his  character  created  universal  respect  and 
confidence. 

Mr.  Tudor  has  left  many  manuscripts  of  public  interest, 
containing  curious  and  important  information  concerning 
the  countries  in  which  he  resided,  some  of  them  nearly  pre- 
pared for  the  press.  His  official  correspondence,  which  is 
highly  interesting  and  useful,  is  also  preserved  ;  and  it 
is  hoped  that,  at  some  not  far  distant  day,  what  remains 
of  his  writings  will  be  put  into  the  possession  of  the  pubhc. 


JOHN    THORNTON    KIRKLAND. 


Although  the  space  Dr.  Kirkland  filled  among  his  con- 
temporaries was  large,  and  the  influence  he  exerted  was  im- 
portant, little  can  be  added  to  what  has  already  been  written 
and  published  concerning  him.  The  prominent  features  of 
his  life  have  been  traced,  and  his  virtues  commemorated,  in 
discourses  devoted  to  the  illustration  of  his  character.*  Cir- 
cumstances do  not,  therefore,  permit  or  require  that  this  notice 
should  be  extended  beyond  that  period  of  his  life,  in  which 
he  became  instrumental,  as  a  member  of  the  Anthology 
Society,  in  laying  the  foundation  of  the  Boston  Athenteum. 
And  it  will  be  chiefly  drawn  from  the  writer's  personal 
knowledge  and  recollections.  Kirkland  Avas  his  companion  in 
boyhood,  at  Phillips  Academy  in  Andover,  and  at  times  pass- 
ed parts  of  vacations,  by  his  invitation,  at  the  residence  of 
his  mother  in  Boston.  At  College,  though  they  were  in  differ- 
ent classes,  their  intimacy  was  never  wholly  suspended  ;  and 
in  1794,  on  Kirkland's  settlement  in  Boston,  the  writer  imme- 
diately selected  him  as  his  pastor  ;  a  i-elation,  which  was  sus- 
tained for  fourteen  or  fifteen  years,  until  Kirkland  was  trans- 
ferred to  the  Presidency  at  Cambridge.    Through  the  whole 

*  See  the  Discourses  of  the  Rev.  Drs.  Palfrey,  Parkman,  and  Young. 


JOHN   THORNTON   KIRKLAND.  65 

period  of  his  subsequent  life  their  friendship  was  never  in- 
termitted, nor  their  intimacy,  so  far  as  their  different  posi- 
tions in  society  allowed. 

John  Thornton  Kirkland,  the  son  of  Samuel  Kirkland, 
one  of  the  earliest  and  the  most  assiduous  and  successful  of 
the  English  missionaries  to  the  Indians  inhabiting  the  Unit- 
ed States,  was  born  on  the  17th  of  August,  1770,  at  a 
place  now  called  Little  Falls,  in  the  State  of  New  York. 
The  residence  of  his  father's  family  was  soon  removed  to 
Stockbridge,  in  Massachusetts,  where  the  qualities  of  his 
mind  and  heart  were  nourished  and  developed  under  the 
care  of  an  intellectual  and  exemplary  mother,  until,  in 
the  month  of  March,  1784,  in  his  fourteenth  year,  he  was 
admitted  a  member  of  Phillips  Academy,  in  Andover.  At 
his  first  appearance  in  the  Academy,  Kirkland  was  accom- 
panied by  his  father,  a  circumstance  which  made  a  strong 
impression  on  the  imagination  of  the  writer  of  this  notice, 
and  of  his  schoolfellows.  The  dangers  and  enterprise,  inci- 
dent at  that  day  to  the  hfe  of  an  Indian  missionary,  as- 
sociated  with  the  character  of  the  elder  Kirkland  the  idea 
of  fearlessness  and  somewhat  of  a  chivalrous  spirit,  which 
his  aspect  and  general  bearing  was,  in  a  degree,  adapted 
to  impress.  The  circumstance  that  young  Kirkland  was 
born  among  the  Indians,  and,  as  the  boys  apprehended,  also 
educated  among  them,  rendered  him  a  more  than  common 
object  of  general  attention  and  regard.  This  feeling,  in. 
stead  of  being  diminished,  was  strengthened  by  a  knowl- 
edge of  the  fact,  that  he  was  about  to  owe  his  education 
to  the  liberality  of  Samuel  Phillips,  junior ;  a  man  who,  in 
active  usefulness,  in  exemplary  influence  on  the  literary, 
moral,  and  religious  state  of  society,  in  general  respect, 
and  in  public  honors,  Avas  in  that  day,  probably,  second  to 
no  individual  in  Massachusetts.  The  interest  thus  created 
was  supported  and  enlarged  by  the  general  tenor  of  Kirk- 


66  BIOGRAPHICAL  NOTICES. 

land's  conduct.  In  the  school  he  was  distinguished  neither 
for  assiduity  nor  neglect.  The  principle  of  emulation  was 
not  offensively  developed  in  him.  And  on  this  account, 
though,  in  oreneral,  he  satisfied  his  instructors,  he  excited 
neither  the  envy  nor  the  jealousy  of  his  schoolfellows. 
With  the  former  he  soon  began  to  be  regarded  as  a  favor- 
ite ;  for  his  recitations  were,  for  the  most  part,  thorough, 
and  in  turning  Latin  or  Greek  into  English  he  was  exact, 
and  sometimes,  in  diction,  elegant.  With  the  latter  his 
success  with  his  instructors  rather  increased  than  dimin- 
ished his  popularity ;  for  they  could  not  fail  to  perceive 
that  it  Avas  the  consequence,  rather  than  the  object,  of  his 
studies,  —  the  result  of  a  happy  facility  of  talent,  and  not  of 
any  extraordinary  ambitious  exertions.  Sagacity  and  tact 
were  the  characteristics  of  the  boy,  as  they  were  after- 
wards of  the  man. 

He  had  been  bred  roughly  and  hardily  in  the  wilderness 
or  in  its  vicinity ;  his  frame  was  robust,  his  temperament 
kind,  and  his  manners  conciliatory.  He  entered  readily 
into  the  feelings  and  interests  of  his  schoolfellows,  and  was 
not  restrained  from  uniting  in  their  views  or  projects  by 
the  known  dependence  of  his  position,  or  any  peculiar  fear 
of  giving  oflfence  to  those  by  whose  favor  or  good  opinion 
his  future  prospects  in  life  might  be  affected.  Eliphalet 
Pearson,  afterwards  Professor  of  Hebrew  and  other  Oi'iental 
Languages  in  Harvard  College,  was  then  Preceptor,  or 
head  master,  of  the  Academy.  He  was  critical,  exact,  and 
severe  in  his  animadversions  on  the  conduct  of  the  scholars 
and  in  supporting  the  discipline  of  the  seminary.  To  a 
thorough  acquaintance  with  the  classics,  he  added  an  un- 
bounded estimate  of  their  importance,  which  he  never 
failed  to  inculcate  and  enforce,  according  to  the  ancient 
severe  discipline  approved  at  that  day  in  all  schools  and 
academies.     Kirkland,  though  he  did  not  satisfy  him  by 


JOHN   THORXTOX   KIRKLAND.  67 

the  continuity  of  his  application,  yet,  by  the  fulness  and 
readiness  of  his  mind,  escaped  from  any  severity  of  censure, 
and  gradually  became  a  favorite  and  the  subject  of  pane- 
gyric ;  a  result  not  displeasing  to  his  schoolfellows,  as  it  was 
obtained  without  any  sacrifices  to  authority.  He  left  the 
Academy  in  April,  1786,  with  the  reputation  of  high  at- 
tainments as  a  scholar,  with  the  esteem  of  his  instructors, 
and  the  affection  of  his  comrades. 

Kirkland  and  the  writer  of  this  memoir  entered  Harvard 
College  within  three  months  of  each  other,  the  former  be- 
coming a  member  of  the  Sophomore,  and  the  latter  of  the 
Freshman  class.  Notwithstanding  this  circumstance  their 
acquaintance  was  never  discontinued,  and  his  course  and 
conduct  were  subjects  of  the  writer's  knowledge  and  ob- 
servation. Kirkland  was  propelled  by  the  same  internal 
force  and  swayed  by  the  same  natural  impulses  in  the 
College,  as  in  the  Academy.  He  was  faithful  to  his  stud- 
ies, and  took  a  high  rank  as  a  scholar ;  but  he  affected 
neither  the  air  nor  the  precision  of  a  hard  student.  He 
loved  society,  and  was  not  indisposed  to  the  amusements 
and  enjoyments  of  social  intercourse.  He  became  popular 
and  was  courted  by  the  most  intellectual  and  ambitious 
members  of  his  class,  and  consequently,  for  a  short  period, 
incurred  loss  of  time,  and  expense  somewhat  beyond  that 
which  his  pecuniary  resources  justified.  His  regret  on 
this  account,  as  committed  by  himself  to  paper,  and  pub- 
lished by  his  biographers  in  language  of  his  own,  is  ex- 
pressed with  a  depth  of  sorrow  which  the  nature  of  his 
aberrations  scarcely  justified ;  for  it  was  never  suggested 
that  they  were  in  any  respect  vicious  or  immoral,  nor  was 
he  ever  subjected  to  any  severe  college  censure  or  disci- 
pline. He  left  the  institution  with  an  untarnished  reputa- 
tion, and  with  an  enviable  college  distinction,  implying  that 
he  stood  the  second  in  his  class. 


68  BIOGRAPHICAL   NOTICES. 

After  passing  a  year  as  assistant  teacher  at  the  Acade- 
my in  Andover,  he  commenced  the  study  of  theology,  re- 
ceived the  appointment  of  Tutor  at  Harvard  College,  and 
continued  prosecuting  his  studies  while  engaged  in  that 
employment,  until  his  settlement  at  the  New  South  Church 
in  Boston,  in  February,  1794.  He  had,  in  this  connection, 
an  arduous  position,  which  it  would  have  been  difficult  for 
a  man  of  ordinary  attainments  to  acquire  or  main- 
tain. His  predecessor  in  that  desk  Avas  Oliver  Everett, 
a  man  greatly  beloved  by  his  congregation.  Everett's 
discourses  had  been  distinguished  for  an  intellectual  power, 
which  made  it  more  difficult  for  his  successor  to  satisfy  the 
taste  which  had  been  thus  cultivated  and  gratified.  Kirk- 
land  soon  gave  evidence,  however,  that  he  was  equal  to  the 
task  he  had  undertaken.  With  a  mind  rich  in  thought, 
with  a  refined  taste,  a  judgment  critical  and  discriminating, 
skilful  in  the  selection  of  his  topics,  and  felicitous  in  their 
illustration,  he  became  soon  distinguished  among  the 
preachers  of  the  metropolis,  and  gradually  enlarged  his 
congregation  by  collecting  around  him  men,  of  whom 
many  were  among  the  highest  intellects  and  most  influ- 
ential characters  of  the  period.  Of  these  it  will  be  suf- 
cient  here  to  mention  Theophilus  Parsons,  George  Cabot, 
Thomas  Handasyd  Perkins,  and  William  Prescott.  The 
approbation  and  applause  of  a  class  of  men,  of  whom  these 
names  may  he  considered  as  exponents,  openly  expressed 
by  their  joining  his  congregation,  gave  a  sanction  to  his 
success,  and  evidenced  that  his  popularity  was  not  transient 
or  shadowy,  but  permanent  and  substantial. 

There  was  in  Kirkland's  manners  a  natural  suavity  and 
outflowing  of  kindness,  which  opened  a  way  to  the  heart, 
and  rendered  his  private  society  interesting,  and  his  public 
discourses  effective,  independently  of  their  intrinsic  beauty 
and  power.      His   characteristic    benevolence  and   ready 


JOHN  THORNTON  KIRKLAND.  69 

sympathy  for  the  wants  and  sufferings  of  others  had  ren- 
dered him  dear  as  a  pastor,  and  were  regarded,  by  those 
who  knew  him,  as  eminently  quahfying  him  for  a  station 
of  more  extensive  usefulness  as  a  superintendent  and  guide 
of  the  young.  When  therefore,  in  the  autumn  of  1804, 
Joseph  Willard,  the  President  of  Harvard  College,  died, 
a  strong  demonstration  was  made  among  the  friends  of  the 
institution  in  favor  of  introducing  him  into  the  vacant 
chair.  To  this  his  known  liberal  religious  views  and  catho- 
lic spirit  furnished  an  exciting  motive.  In  the  Corporation, 
his  election  was  pressed  with  great  warmth  by  some  of  its 
members,  and  was  opposed  by  others  with  a  like  spirit.  The 
struggle  resulted  first  in  the  choice  of  Fisher  Ames,  who 
declined,  and  finally  in  the  election  of  Samuel  Webber, 
who  held  the  ofiice  four  years.  At  his  death,  in  1810, 
the  exertions  of  Kirkland's  friends  in  the  Corporation  were 
revived,  and  they  terminated  in  his  election  to  the  Presi- 
dency. Public  and  private  munificence  succeeded  to  this 
event;  and  the  prospects  of  Harvard  University  were 
greatly  improved  and  extended  by  measures  and  influences, 
of  which  the  history  is  already  in  the  possession  of  the 
public. 

It  was  about  the  time  when  the  first  struggle  in  favor 
of  Kirkland  for  the  Presidency  was  pending,  that  the 
Anthology  Society  was  formed.  All  its  original  members, 
except  Gardiner  and  Emerson,  were  his  juniors  in  age,  and 
the  latter  was  of  the  same  colleo;e  standinor.  Some  of 
them  were  his  intimate  friends,  others  his  literary  and  pro- 
fessional companions  ;  and,  considering  the  small  number  of 
those  who,  in  this  vicinity,  at  that  period  took  a  direct 
interest  in  the  advancement  of  literature,  it  is  remark- 
able that  Kii'kland  was  not  among  the  first  associates. 
But  a  knowledge  of  the  character  and  traits  of  his  mind 
and  temperament  probably   prevented   his  being  at  first 


70  BIOGRAPHICAL  NOTICES. 

invited  to  join  a  society,  formed  to  engage  in  a  work,  to 
which  they  intended  to  devote  much  intellectual  labor,  im- 
plying an  expense  of  time  and  the  incurring  of  responsibili- 
ty. To  the  great  fulness  of  his  mind  and  great  eifectiveness 
in  its  action,  Kirkland  united  an  inherent  disinclination  to 
intellectual  exertion.  He  required  the  stimulus  of  events, 
or  of  duty,  to  induce  him  to  engage  in  the  task  of  compo- 
sition, Avhich  was  always  toilsome  to  him,  and  the  more  so 
from  a  delicacy  of  taste,  amounting  at  times  to  fastidious- 
ness, resulting  in  painful  revision  and  laborious  correction 
under  the  influence  of  a  judgment  difficult  to  be  satisfied. 
A  knowledge  of  his  temperament  in  this  respect  made  him 
reluctant  to  engage  in  any  work  of  supererogation ;  and 
his  friends  were  unwilling  to  place  reliance  upon  any  assist- 
ance from  him  in  their  undertaking,  unless  under  terms 
distinctly  expressed  and  previously  made  the  subject  of 
agreement.  This  state  of  opinion  is  shadowed  forth,  in 
the  records  of  the  Anthology  Society,  by  which  it  appears, 
that  desirable  as  his  aid  was  thought  to  be  by  the  asso- 
ciates, he  was  not  admitted  without  dehberation,  nor  was  it 
finally  effected  but  by  a  vote,  passed,  probably,  jocosely, 
declaring  that  it  was  on  condition  that  he  should  give  an 
explicit  promise,  that  he  would,  in  his  turn,  write  certain 
articles  Avhich  were  special  objects  of  interest  in  the  Socie- 
ty, and  review  such  books  as  should  be  assigned  to  him. 
Their  records  accordingly  show,  that  important  portions  of 
their  labor  were  immediately  devolved  upon  him.  The 
Memoir,  which  was  designed  to  promote  the  first  subscrip- 
tion, after  the  act  of  incorporation  had  been  obtained,  was 
claimed  from  him,  and  was  executed  by  his  pen.  His  char- 
acter and  popularity  had  unquestionably  a  happy  influence  in 
obtaining  the  charter  of  the  Athenaeum,  and  in  effecting  the 
subscription  which  laid  the  foundation  of  its  future  prosper- 
ity ;  and,  notwithstanding  that  he  was  not  an  original  mem- 


JOHN   THORNTON   KIRKLAND.  71 

ber  of  the  Anthology  Club,  nor  an  important  contributor  to 
the  funds  or  the  library  of  the  Athenaeum,  he  is  entitled, 
by  his  valuable  services,  to  be  regarded  as  one  of  its  foun- 
ders.* 


*  Extracts  from  the  Records  of  the  Anthology  Society:  — 
"  September  18,  1806.    Rev.  Dr.  Kirkland  was  put  on  the  nomination  list  for 
consideration  as  a  future  member  of  the  Society." 

"  October  16,  1806.  Mr.  Shaw  moved  that  the  Rev.  Dr.  Kirkland  be  admit- 
ted a  member  of  the  Society.  The  Secretary  [Mr.  Walter]  seconded  the  mo- 
tion, on  condition  that  Dr.  Kirkland  first  be  requested  to  give  an  explicit  prom- 
ise that  he  would  write  '  The  Remarker  '  and  '  Silva/  in  his  turn,  and  review 
such  books  as  might  be  assigned  to  him.  He  was  accordingly  admitted  on 
this  condition,  and  the  Secretary  and  Mr.  Shaw  were  appointed  a  committee 
to  wait  on  Dr.  Kirkland  and  inform  him  of  such  election." 

October  23,  Dr.  Kirkland  was  added  to  the  reading-room  committee  ;  and, 
October  30,  he  was  chosen  one  of  the  five  trustees,  to  whom  the  library  and 
the  whole  property  of  the  Society  were  to  be  transferred. 


MEMOIR  OF  JOHN   BROMFIELD. 


The  judicious  and  timely  donation  to  the  Boston  Ath- 
enaeum hj  John  Bromfield  during  his  hfetime,  and  his 
endowment  of  the  public  with  the  chief  part  of  his  large 
property,  by  devoting  it  in  his  last  will  to  the  most  impor- 
tant and  interesting  objects  of  charity  and  usefulness,  ren- 
der a  memoir  of  his  life  peculiarly  just  and  proper. 

He  was  the  last  representative  in  America  of  the  male 
line  of  a  family  distinguished,  for  more  than  a  century 
among  the  citizens  of  Boston,  for  integrity  and  benevolence. 
It  had  its  origin  in  Wales,  where,  in  the  reign  of  Edward 
the  Second,  it  had  extensive  possessions.  WilHam  Bromfield 
removed  to  England,  was  appointed  by  Queen  Elizabeth 
Lieutenant  of  the  Ordnance  in  the  Tower,  and  purchased 
a  great  estate  in  the  vicinity  of  London.  His  descendant, 
Edward  Bromfield,  was  born  at  Haywood  House,  the  seat 
of  the  family,  in  the  New  Forest,  Hampshire,  in  1648,  and 
emigrated  to  Boston,  Massachusetts,  in  1675,  where  he  be- 
came a  merchant,  eminent  for  activity,  judgment,  and  in- 
tegrity. His  mansion-house  stood  in  the  street  which  now 
bears  his  name,  on  the  site  of  the  present  Bromfield  House, 
then  "  surrounded  by  fields  and  shady  groves."  He  mar- 
ried Mary,  the  daughter  of  the  Rev.  Samuel  Danforth,  of 
i 


74  MEMOIR  OF  JOHN   BROMFIELD. 

Roxbury,  and  grandclaugliter  of  the  Rev.  John  Wilson,  of 
Boston.  Their  son,  Edward  Bromfield,  born  in  1696,  mar- 
ried Elizabeth  Coney  in  1722,  became  a  merchant  of  char- 
acter and  influence,  and  died  in  1756.  The  youngest  of  the 
sons  of  his  numerous  family  was  John  Bromfield,  the  father 
of  the  subject  of  this  Memoir.  He  married  Ann  Roberts, 
the  youngest  daughter  of  Robert  Roberts,  "who  emigrated 
to  this  country  from  Wales,  and  became  a  much  respected 
inhabitant  of  Newburyport.  The  character  of  Mr.  Roberts 
"was  marked  by  "  uncommon  decision  and  energy  "  ;  he  "was 
"  stern,  self-sustained,  thinking  for  himself,  "with  a  never- 
"wavering  resolution  to  do  "what  he  deemed  right,  irrespective 
of  the  opinions  and  practice  of  others"  ;  and  the  same  spirit 
was  so  strikingly  developed  in  his  grandson,  that  it  was  said 
of  him  that  the  same  Cambrian  blood  flowed  in  his  veins  as 
did  in  those  of  his  maternal  grandfather.  Having  been 
educated  at  one  of  the  English  universities,  he  bestowed 
on  his  daughter  great  advantages  of  education,  of  which  she 
had  the  disposition  and  power  to  avail  herself. 

The  current  of  her  husband's  affairs  became  troubled,  and 
at  last  seriously  embarrassed,  by  circumstances  of  which  the 
war  of  the  revolution  was  one  of  the  causes.  Their  son,  John 
Bromfield,  the  subject  of  this  Memoir,  was  born  in  New- 
buryport, April  11th,  1779.  His  early  years  were  passed 
with  his  brothers  and  sisters,  under  the  pressure  of  misfor- 
tunes involving  the  necessity  of  great  pecuniary  restraint, 
and  with  no  refuge  or  support  except  in  the  elevated  spirit 
of  their  mother,  who  was,  in  all  respects,  entitled  to  the 
epithet  of  "  admirable."  Beloved  by  all,  by  her  children 
she  was  little  less  than  adored.  Such  were  the  impressions 
made  deeply  on  the  mind  of  the  writer  of  this  Memoir, 
during  many  years  of  intimate  friendship  with  this  lady ; 
whose  virtues  and  character  are  accurately  portrayed  in 
the  following  touching  tribute  from  her  surviving  daughter. 


MEMOIR   OF   JOHN   BROMFIELD.  75 

"  In  all  the  more  trying  exigencies  of  her  life,  her  con- 
duct was  noble  and  magnanimous  ;  nor  was  it  less  so,  while 
pursuing  the  even  tenor  of  her  daily  life-long  course,  un- 
noticed and  unknown.  Retired  from  the  world,  and  need- 
ing not  its  stimulus  of  praise  or  applause,  she  was  never 
happier  than  when  surrounded  by  her  nursery  flock,  to 
whose  early  training  she  devoted  her  almost  undivided  at- 
tention ;  and  for  this  she  was  eminently  qualified.  Her 
own  home  school-education,  under  the  supervision  of  her 
father,  was  the  best  that  could  be  obtained.  Her  intelh- 
gent  and  highly  cultivated  mind,  good  judgment,  modesty, 
sweetness  of  temper,  together  with  a  dignity  of  manners, 
commanding,  yet  strictly  feminine,  formed  a  charm  that 
bound  her  children  to  her  irresistibly,  her  life  being  to 
them  a  liviiig  commentary  upon  the  truth  and  grandeur  of 
what  were  to  them  her  oracular  teachings." 

Mr.  Bromfield,  after  receiving  his  early  education  from 
his  mother,  became,  in  1792,  a  pupil  of  Dummer  Academy, 
in  Byfield,  where  his  habits  were  so  studious  and  his  schol- 
arship was  so  satisfactory,  that  his  friends  were  advised  to 
send  him  to  the  University ;  the  means  for  which  were 
kindly  proffered  by  his  father's  sisters.  With  that  decision 
and  firm  spirit  of  independence,  which  subsequently  mark- 
ed his  character,  he  refused  with  grateful  acknowledgments 
this  kind  offer,  saying  that  he  was  resolved  to  make  his  own 
way  to  fortune,  as  a  merchant ;  and  accordingly  at  the  age 
of  fourteen  he  entered  the  counting-house  of  Messrs.  Lar- 
kin  &  Hurd,  of  Charlestown,  and  afterwards,  during  the  pe- 
riod of  his  apprenticeship,  that  of  Messrs.  Soley  &  Stearns. 
The  failure  of  this  house,  just  as  he  became  of  age,  was 
the  first  cloud  upon  his  prospects  as  a  man  of  business  ;  but 
with  characteristic  kindness  he  assumed,  as  far  as  Avas 
in  his  power,  the  settlement  of  their  concerns,  and  devoted 
himself  to  their  service,  without  reward,  or  the  hope  of  it. 


76  MEMOIR   OF   JOHN   BROMFIELD. 

Mr.  Bromfield  thus  entered  upon  life  without  patronage,  and 
without  prospects,  other  than  such  as  his  own  talents  and 
enterprise  might  open  for  him.  The  times  were  difficult. 
Several  months  elapsed,  and  every  attempt  to  obtain  mer- 
cantile employment  failed.  His  desire  of  activity,  and  his 
earnest  anxiety  to  begin  the  work  which  might  lead  him  to 
independence,  became  at  last  insupportable,  when  he  said 
to  his  sister,  "  I  have  made  up  my  mind,  I  will  no  longer 
remain  idle.  I  have  spoken  to  a  master-carpenter ;  I  have 
made  arrangements  with  him  to  teach  me  his  trade  ;  and, 
if  for  three  weeks  I  continue  unable  to  find  mercantile  em- 
ployment, I  will  change  my  profession  and  become  a 
mechanic."  With  those  who  knew  the  firmness  of  his 
character,  it  was  unquestionable  that  he  would  have  kept 
his  resolution.  Happily  an  opening  occurred  within  the 
prescribed  period,  and  he  was  enabled  to  enter  the  path  he 
had  prepared  himself  to  pursue. 

The  confidence,  which  his  conduct  in  relation  to  the  con- 
cerns of  Messrs.  Soley  &  Stearns  had  created,  as  well  as  his 
known  talents  and  urbanity  of  manners,  soon  opened  to  him 
opportunities  for  employment ;  but  in  whose  service,  or  for 
what  objects,  is  not  at  this  day  to  be  ascertained.  By 
letters  from  him,  preserved  in  the  family,  it  is  known  that 
on  the  16th  March,  1806,  he  was  at  Rotterdam,  as  factor,  or 
accent,  for  some  mercantile  house,  and  that  success  had  not  at- 
tended  the  enterprise,  of  which  he  had  the  superintendence. 
"  I  have  been  pursued,"  he  writes  to  his  mother  at  that 
date,  "  by  the  most  untoward  and  sinister  events.  Forty 
days  on  my  passage  to  Nantes,  —  fifty-three  days  embar- 
goed, —  I  could  not  arrive  in  Holland  until  the  first  of 
March.  Fortune  has  pursued  me,  undeviatingly,  with  ill 
luck  ;  I  cannot  charge  her  with  inconstancy.  Existence  is 
not  worth  possessing  unaccompanied  by  independence  of 
mind." 


MEMOIR   OF  JOHN   BROMFIELD.  77 

It  appears  that  in  April,  1808,  he  was  again  in  Europe, 
in  like  service,  with  a  similar  result.  On  the  18th  of  that 
month,  he  wrote  to  his  mother  from  London  ;  "  Mj  fears  of 
a  bad  voyage  are  completely  realized.  I  have  been  obliged 
to  land  my  cargo,  and  make  a  ruinous  voyage  for  the  gen- 
tlemen who  were  good  enough  to  give  me  employ.  My 
own  loss  will  be  total,  of  all  that  I  have  earned  during  my 
past  life.  The  decrees  of  France  and  England  are  ruinous 
to  American  commerce  ;  which  is  a  whip-top,  scourged  by 
both  parties.  Though  a  neutral,  it  is  attacked  by  all  the 
belligerents."  In  the  spring  o'f  1809,  he  was  intrusted 
with  large  funds  by  Mr.  Theodore  Lyman,  senior,  upon  an 
agreement  to  remain  in  Canton  for  a  year,  as  his  factor ; 
and  for  this  purpose  he  was  associated,  as  supercargo,  with 
WiUiam  Sturgis,  Avho  was  appointed  to  the  command  of  the 
ship  Atahualpa,  owned  by  Mr.  Lyman,  with  joint  control  of 
the  destined  funds.  At  the  request  of  the  writer  of  this 
Memoir,  Mr.  Sturgis  has  favored  him  with  the  subjoined 
letter,  conveying  his  impressions  of  the  character  of  Mr. 
Bromfield. 

"  Hon.  Josiah  Quincy,  —  My  Dear  Sir  :  When  you 
asked  for  reminiscences  of  our  late  friend,  Mr.  Bromfield, 
I  readily  promised  to  give  them,  and  was  gratified  at  hav- 
ing an  opportunity  to  express  and  record  the  high  estima- 
tion in  which  I  have  long  held  him.  But,  when  I  sat  down 
to  perform  this  promise,  I  found  that  I  had  undertaken  a 
task  not  easily  executed,  and  became  conscious  of  my  ina- 
bility to  convey  to  those  not  acquainted  with  Mr.  Bromfield 
the  impressions  of  his  character  and  qualities,  that  are  in- 
delibly stamped  on  my  own  mind.  He  was  one  who  can  be 
appreciated  only  by  those  who  knew  him  intimately  ;  and  of 
such  the  number  is  small,  for  he  was  by  no  means  lavish  of 
his  confidence,  and,  though  courteous  to  all,  was  intimate 
with  few. 


78  MEMOIR   OF  JOHN   EROMFIELD. 

"  Mj  own  acquaintance  witli  him  began  under  the  follow- 
ing circumstances.  In  the  spring  of  1809  I  was  in  com- 
mand of  the  ship  Atahualpa,  belonging  to  the  late  Mr.  The- 
odore Lyman,  senior,  preparing  for  a  voyage  to  China. 
When  nearly  ready,  Mr.  Lyman  decided  to  add  another 
hundred  thousand  dollars  to  the  large  funds  already  pro- 
vided, which  sum  might  be  left  at  Canton  for  investment 
out  of  the  regular  business  season,  in  the  expectation  that 
it  could  be  then  done  on  the  most  favorable  terms.  This 
arrangement  made  it  necessary  that  some  one  should  be 
associated  with  me,  who  could  remain  a  year  at  Canton  ;  and 
Mr.  Bromfield,  who  had  previously  been  in  the  service  of 
Mr.  Lyman,  was  selected.  We  met  for  the  first  time  only 
the  day  before  sailing,  and  were  wholly  ignorant  of  each 
other's  views,  habits,  and  tastes. 

"  The  relation  in  which  we  were  placed,  does  not  always 
tend  to  harmony  and  mutual  good  feelings.  On  shore  we 
were  upon  a  footing  of  equality ;  but  at  sea  I  was  vested 
with  exclusive  and  almost  despotic  power,  to  which  he, 
in  common  with  all  on  board,  was  bound  to  submit.  In 
two  voyages  previously  made  to  Europe,  he  had  unfortu- 
nately been  associated  with  ship-masters,  whose  narrow 
prejudices  made  them  foolishly  jealous  of  their  authority, 
and  disposed  to  regard  as  interference  with  it  any  inqui- 
ries or  comments  (however  natural  and  unobjectionable  they 
might  be)  made  by  the  supercargo,  relative  to  occurrences 
and  passing  events  on  ship-board.  This  induced  Mr. 
Bromfield  to  practise  extreme  caution  at  the  outset  of  our 
voyage  ;  and  he  afterwards  declared,  that  for  the  first  week 
he  scarcely  knew  whether  the  fore-topsail  was  set  or  furled, 
for,  when  walking  the  deck,  he  avoided  raising  his  eyes  above 
the  direct  line  of  vision  lest  he  should  be  suspected  of  prying 
into  matters  that  did  not  concern  him,  as  had  happened  to 
him  on  previous  occasions.   We  soon,  however,  came  to  a  full 


MEMOIR  OF  JOHN   BROMFIELD.  79 

understanding  ;  and  I  doubt  if  two  individuals  ever  did,  or 
could,  make  a  four  months'  passage  together  more  harmoni- 
ously and  pleasantly.  He  was  full  of  information  on  a  great 
variety  of  subjects,  and  there  was  a  dry  humor  and  a  piquan- 
cy in  his  unreserved  colloquial  intercourse  that  were  per- 
fectly fascinating  ;  and  I  have  never  known  a  man  whom  I 
should  prefer  as  a  companion  through  the  usual  tediousness 
of  a  long  passage  at  sea.  There  was  even  then,  at  times,  a 
slight  reserve  and  peculiarity  in  his  manner,  which  became 
somewhat  more  apparent  in  after  life ;  but  these  I  was  care- 
ful never  to  notice,  and  left  him  altogether  free  to  act  him- 
self in  every  respect,  so  that  our  pleasant  intercourse  was 
never  for  a  moment  interrupted. 

"  His  habits  on  ship-board  were  very  regular.  He  usu- 
ally appeared  on  deck  an  hour  before  breakfast  time,  and, 
after  a  formal  exchange  of  morning  salutations,  would  walk 
rapidly  fore  and  aft  the  weather  side  of  the  main  deck  for 
some  ten  minutes,  then  join  me  on  the  quarter  deck  and 
break  forth  in  his  usual  style,  with  remarks  that  never  failed 
to  interest  and  delight  me.  After  breakfast  he  would  occupy 
himself  with  his  books  while  I  w-as  engaged  in  the  usual 
avocations  of  a  ship-master,  which  in  my  case  were  not  very 
onerous;  for,  soon  after  getting  to  sea,  I  became  satisfied  that 
I  was  particularly  fortunate  in  having  selected  a  first  officer 
(Mr.  Daniel  C.  Bacon,  then  a  very  young  man,  scarcely  more 
than  twenty  years  of  age,  now  one  of  our  most  estimable  and 
successful  merchants),  so  devoted  to  his  duties  and  compe- 
tent to  perform  them,  that  I  might  safely  intrust  all  details 
to  his  care  and  management.  This  left  me  at  leisure  to  pass 
much  time  in  social  intercourse  with  Mr.  Bromfield ;  and  hav- 
ing the  mild  climate  and  fine  weather  which  the  voyager 
usually  finds  on  a  passage  to  China  in  the  regular  season, 
every  thing  went  on  so  smoothly  and  pleasantly,  that  when 
we  anchored  in  Macao  roads,  on  the  evening  of  the  21st  of 


80  MEMOIR   OF  JOHN   BROMFIELD. 

August,  we  could  scarcely  forbear  regretting  that  our  pas- 
sage was  so  nearly  finished. 

"  The  next  morning  a  very  unlooked-for  change  came  over 
us.  At  an  early  hour  I  despatched  my  first  officer,  Mr. 
Bacon,  with  a  boat's  crew  for  Macao,  about  seven  miles  dis- 
tant, to  procure  a  pilot  for  Canton  river.  Soon  after,  a  fleet 
of  armed  vessels,  apparently  Chinese  men-of-war,  were  dis- 
covered a  few  miles  distant,  standing  directly  for  us.  On  the 
outward  passage  we  had  passed  through  the  Straits  of  Banca, 
and  near  the  spot  where  a  brother  of  Mr.  Bromfield  had 
been  attacked  and  cut  off  by  Malays  some  years  before. 
The  fate  of  his  brother  very  naturally  led  him  to  regard  with 
more  than  usual  suspicion  and  apprehension  every  native 
armed  vessel ;  but  I  thought  that  he  sometimes  manifested 
these  feelings  in  a  greater  degree  than  the  occasion  seemed 
to  warrant,  and  did  not  always  regard  them  so  much,  per- 
haps, as  I  ought  to  have  done. 

"  When  the  Chinese  vessels  were  within  a  mile  or  two  of 
us,  Mr.  Bromfield  came  on  deck,  and  I  pointed  them  out  to 
him,  remarking,  inconsiderately,  "  If  those  fellows  should 
chance  to  be  Ladrones  (pirates),  and  knew  that  we  have 
three  hundred  thousand  Spanish  dollars  on  board,  they 
would  be  tempted  to  pay  us  attention  in  a  way  that  might 
not  be  agreeable  this  warm  morning."  I  instantly  per- 
ceived that  the  suggestion  alarmed  him  ;  and  though  I  did 
not  at  the  moment  participate  in  the  alarm,  yet,  regardful 
of  his  feelings,  I  promptly  took  measures  for  defence  and 
escape,  that  ultimately  saved  us ;  but,  had  they  been  delay- 
ed till  my  own  apprehensions  were  awakened,  it  might  very 
likely  have  been  too  late,  and  our  destruction  inevitable. 
Had  those  who  witnessed  the  whole  transaction  been  dis- 
posed at  first  to  ascribe  Mr.  Bromfield's  alarm  to  timidity, 
the  cool  self-possession  and  firm  intrepidity,  with  which  he 
aided  in  defence  of  the  ship  when  the  danger  became  immi- 


MEMOIR   OF  JOHN   BROMFIELD.  81 

nent  and  an  attack  was  actually  made,  would  have  fully 
satisfied  them,  that  he  was  by  no  means  deficient  in  person- 
al courage,  but  was  actuated  solely  by  a  prudent  desire  to 
avoid  danger  when  nothing  but  disaster  could  result  from 
useless  exposure. 

"  Associated  as  we  were  in  transactions  at  Canton,  I  could 
judge  from  personal  observation  of  his  capacity  as  a  prac- 
tical '  business  man ' ;  and  such  was  the  opinion  I  then 
formed,  confirmed  by  the  experience  of  after  years,  of 
his  talents,  qualifications,  and  sound  judgment,  that  I 
could  not  select  a  man  whom  I  should  have  preferred  as 
an  agent  for  the  management  of  commercial  business  in 
any  quarter  of  the  globe.  I  left  him  at  Canton,  where  he 
remained  a  year  ;  and  this  voyage  laid  the  foundation  of  the 
fortune  he  subsequently  acquired,  which  was  slowly  but 
surely  accumulated  by  persevering  industry  in  the  safest 
manner ;  for  I  doubt  if  he  ever  engaged  in  a  transaction 
that  the  most  fastidious  prudence  would  have  pronounced 
hazardous.  He  never  commenced  an  adventure  without  a 
careful  estimate  of  probabiHties,  or  closed  one  without  look- 
ing thoroughly  into  details  and  results.  He  often  remarked, 
that  '  many  men  are  ruined  by  omitting  to  make  figures.' 

"  His  knowledge  of  commerce  was  extensive  and  accurate, 
and  whatever  he  undertook  to  do  was  sure  to  be  done  in 
the  very  best  manner.  He  frequently  commented  upon  the 
loose  and  careless  manner  in  which  business  is  done  in  this 
country,  and  contrasted  it  with  the  European  practice. 
'  Plere,'  said  he,  in  his  familiar  way,  '  if  a  purchaser  is 
about  to  buy  a  cargo  of  box  sugars,  he  will  bore  into  one 
box,  look  at  a  second,  kick  a  third,  and  take  the  lot ;  but 
in  Europe  they  thrust  an  iron  searcher  through  and  through 
every  box,  and  carefully  examine  every  layer.'  He  admit- 
ted that  a  system  of  credit  is  indispensable  in  this  country, 
but  denounced  in  no  measured  terms  the  extent  to  which 

k 


82  MEMOIR  OF  JOHN   BROMPIELD. 

we  have  carried  it,  as  a  fruitful  source  of  commercial  em- 
barrassments and  financial  convulsions.  To  this  dangerous 
extension  and  indiscriminate  granting  of  credit  he  mainly 
ascribed  the  failure  of  three  fourths  of  those  who  engage 
in  trade  and  commerce. 

"  As  his  property  increased,  a  portion  of  it  was  invested 
in  various  manufacturing  companies  ;  and,  had  some  of 
his  views  in  relation  to  this  great  branch  of  industry 
been  adopted  and  carried  out,  the  interest  of  those  en- 
gaged in  it  would  have  been  greatly  promoted.  He 
asserted  that  the  manufacturers  themselves  were  their 
own  worst  enemies,  and  maintained  that  all  the  injury 
they  sustained  from  the  unwise  and  vacillating  policy  of 
government,  and  the  hostility  of  '  free  trade '  advocates, 
was  trifling  compared  with  the  injury  they  inflicted  upon 
themselves  by  premature  and  almost  reckless  increase  of 
producing  power.  '  Why,  my  friend,'  he  would  say  to 
me,  '  we  manufacturers  may  clamor  for  protection,  and 
rail  at  the  government  for  its  hostihty  to  the  manufactur- 
ing interest  till  we  make  ourselves  hoarse,  and  it  will  do 
no  good.  The  truth  is,  government  has  little  power  in  this 
matter  for  weal  or  woe,  and  can  only  aggravate  or  mitigate, 
in  a  degree,  the  evils  we  bring  upon  ourselves  hy  competing 
with  ourselves.  It  is  not  the  government,  it  is  Messieurs 
A,  and  B,  and  C,  and  D,'  (enumerating  those  who  usually 
take  the  lead  in  getting  up  new  manufacturing  establish- 
ments), '  with  their  associates,  who  do  the  mischief  by  keep- 
ing production  too  far  ahead  of  consumption ;  and,  if  the 
rapid  growth  of  this  country  chance  to  bring  demand  up 
with  supply,  these  gentlemen  seem  to  strain  every  nerve  to 
give  supply  the  lead  again,  as  if  they  dreaded  that  our  oc- 
casional periods  of  prosperity  would  last  too  long.  It  is  the 
eagerness  to  sell  water-power,  and  find  employment  for  their 
machine-shops,  that  prostrates  the  manufacturing  business  ; 


MEMOIR   OF  JOHN   BROMFIELD.  83 

and  we  can  only  hope,  that,  as  all  these  concerns  are  princi- 
pally owned  by  the  same  individuals,  they  will  by  and  by  dis- 
cover, that,  where  one  dollar  is  gained  by  getting  up  new 
establishments,  five  are  often  lost  by  the  consequent  depres- 
sion in  price  of  the  productions  of  those  already  in  opera- 
tion.'    He  was  not  alone  in  these  views. 

"  Mr.  Bromfield  was  familiar  with  matters  of  finance  and 
currency.  He  perceived  the  adaptation  of  a  mixed  currency 
to  the  business  and  wants  of  this  country,  but  was  never  free 
from  apprehension  that  the  paper  element  would  predomi- 
nate, and  the  country  be  flooded  with  irredeemable  paper. 
He  was  proud  of  the  financial  position  maintained  by  New 
England  during  the  war  with  Great  Britain  from  1812  to 
1815,  at  a  time  when  all  south  and  west  of  her  borders 
failed  to  fulfil  their  engagements  and  suffered  dishonor ; 
but  he  was  sadly  troubled  and  deeply  mortified  at  the 
course  taken  in  1837,  when,  in  a  time  of  profound  peace  and 
apparent  prosperity,  all  the  moneyed  institutions  in  the 
country  suspended  payment,  not  (as  they  alleged)  for 
want  of  means,  but  because  they  chose  to  consider  it  for 
the  public  good  that  they  should  violate  their  engagements 
and  refuse  to  pay  their  debts.  He  deplored  the  circum- 
stance as  a  national  calamity,  and  seemed  to  feel  it  little 
less  than  a  stain  upon  every  solvent  man's  personal  honor. 
'  It  is  not,'  said  he,  '  so  much  the  immediate  effect  that  I 
deprecate,  but  I  dread  the  consequences  hereafter.  If  in- 
dividuals who  have  once  violated  faith  can  never  be  relied 
upon  afterwards,  how  can  you  expect  that  soulless  corpora- 
tions, if  once  permitted  to  disregard  all  laws  with  impunity, 
will  refrain  from  doing  so  again  whenever  their  interest  can 
be  thereby  promoted.  Corporations,'  he  added,  '  are 
convenient  and  useful,  but  there  is  no  safety  in  them  unless 
regulated  by  stringent  laws,  and  these  laws  strictly  en- 
forced.' 

"  When  discussing  '  usury  laws,'  Mr.  Bromfield  admit- 


84  MEMOIR  OF  JOHN  BROMFIELD. 

ted  the  necessity  of  establishing  by  law  a  uniform  rate  of 
interest  to  govern  all  cases  in  which  no  rate  was  stipulated ; 
but  he  scouted  the  idea,  that  legislation  could  practically 
restrict  the  price  to  be  paid  for  the  use  of  money  to  a  uni- 
form rate  at  all  times  and  under  all  circumstances.  '  The 
value  of  the  use  of  money,'  he  said,  '  like  the  price  of 
commodities,  is  governed  by  the  great  law  of  supply  and 
demand  ;  and  this  cannot  be  controlled  by  legislation.  Usu- 
ry laws,  as  they  are  called,  are  doubtless  designed  to  pro- 
tect borrowers  and  debtors.  Do  they  eflfect  this  ?  Let  us 
look  at  the  practical  working  of  them.  We  must  assume 
that  the  borrower  will  always  be  disposed  to  obtain  money 
at  the  lowest  rate  of  interest.  If  he  cannot  obtain  it  at 
six  per  cent.,  it  must  be  because  it  will  command  more. 
Then,  if  his  prospects  or  necessities  induce  a  wilhngness,  or 
compel  him,  to  pay  more,  the  law  steps  in  and  forbids  its 
being  lent  to  him,  directly,  at  a  higher  rate.  How  then  is 
the  borrower  or  debtor  situated  ?  He  must  have  money  ; 
—  he  cannot  borrow  it  at  six  per  cent. ;  —  the  law  forbids  a 
direct  loan  to  him  at  a  higher  rate,  and  he  is  compelled 
either  to  raise  it  by  a  sacrifice  of  property,  or  obtain  it  on 
loan  in  an  indirect  way,  which  every  one  knows  is  invaria- 
bly attended  with  additional  expense,  that  must  be  borne  by 
the  unfortunate  borrower.  If  no  other  use  could  be  made 
of  money  in  times  of  scarcity  but  to  lend  it,  the  owner 
might  be  driven  to  let  it  go  at  six  per  cent,  by  the  prohibi- 
tion to  take  more  ;  but  at  such  times  the  current  value  of 
the  use  of  money  may  be  realized  in  many  other  ways  than 
by  lending  it.  In  fact,  it  may  be  legally/  lent  at  any  rate 
of  interest  agreed  upon,  provided  it  be  indirectly  done.  If 
these  views  are  correct,'  he  added,  '  it  is  evident  that  usu- 
ry laws  put  no  effectual  restriction  upon  lenders,  but  are 
onerous  and  injurious  to  borrowers  ;  and  this  is  confirmed  by 
the  fact  that  applications  to  the  legislature  for  the  repeal  or 
modification  of  such  laws  come  usually  from  borrowers,  for 


MEMOIR   OF  JOHN   BROMFIELD.  85 

lenders  are  little  incommoded  by  them.'  As  a  question  of 
morals,  Mr.  Bromfield  did  not  recognize  a  difference  be- 
tween getting  the  current  rate  for  the  use  of  money  and 
getting  the  market  price  for  a  bushel  of  potatoes  or  a  bar- 
rel of  flour ;  and,  though  habitual  respect  for  the  laws  de- 
terred him  from  violating  them,  yet  he  did  not  scruple  to 
take  the  current  rate  for  the  use  of  money  in  a  legal  man- 
ner. 

"  Mr.  Bromfield  read  much  and  thought  more.  The  ten- 
dency of  his  mind  was  to  investigation,  but  not  speculation. 
He  deemed  it  a  waste  of  time,  however,  to  investigate  sub- 
jects upon  which  even  an  approximation  to  certainty  could 
not  be  reached,  and  which  promised  no  compensating  results 
for  labor  thus  bestowed.  '  There  are,'  said  he,  '  enough 
practical  and  useful  matters  to  be  looked  into  to  occupy  the 
longest  life.'  He  bowed  to  no  authority  in  matters  that 
admitted  of  difference  of  opinion,  but  chose  to  examine  and 
collate  the  views  of  others,  and  then  to  form  his  own.  I  have 
never  known  one  less  disposed  to  adopt  opinions,  however 
high  the  source  whence  they  emanated,  without  passing 
them  through  the  alembic  of  his  own  mind.  He  often, 
therefore,  rejected  those  prevalent  at  the  moment,  and  was 
seldom  carried  away  by  the  current  of  popular  feehng. 
He  was,  if  I  may  be  allowed  the  expression,  thoroughly 
anti-humbug,  and  regarded  most  of  the  exciting  topics 
of  the  day  with  philosophic  calmness,  or  with  a  feeling 
bordering  upon  disgust.  You,  Sir,  can  readily  call  to 
mind  the  excited  state  of  political  feeling  in  1808  and 
1809,  upon  questions  of  embargo,  non-intercourse,  &c., 
and  will,  I  think,  agree  with  me,  that  though  too  much 
bitterness  is  mingled  with  pohtics  at  the  present  time,  yet 
this  bitterness  is  mild  compared  with  the  rancor  and  hatred 
of  political  partisans  in  former  days.  Now  ultra  Whigs 
and  violent  Locofocos  occasionally  meet,  in  sweet  commun- 
ion, on  '  free  soil ' ;  —  then  Federalists  and  Democrats  only 


86  MEMOIR  OF  JOHN  BROMFIELD. 

came  together  quietly  in  the  burying-ground,  and  even 
there  with  reluctance.  It  was  scarcely  to  be  expected,  that 
Mr.  Bromfield  and  myself  should  escape  participation  in 
feelings  that  pervaded  the  community  at  the  time  we  left  the 
United  States ;  but,  once  beyond  the  reach  of  the  exciting 
influences  that  surrounded  us  at  home,  things  soon  began 
to  assume  a  diiferent  aspect ;  and,  ere  the  passage  was  half 
over,  we  could  discuss  matters  more  impartially,  and  smile 
at  the  delusion  that  led  to  an  undue  appreciation  of  events 
ephemeral  in  their  character,  and  temporary  in  their  conse- 
quences. '  Ah ! '  Mr.  Bromfield  would  exclaim,  '  if  those 
who  take  but  a  one-sided  view  of  aifairs  at  home  could 
only  look  at  them  as  we  do,  from  the  latitude  of  forty, 
South,  how  differently  they  would  appear  !  ' 

"  And  in  after  years,  when  at  any  time  undue  excitement 
was  got  up  upon  any  subject,  —  when  poUticians  (self-styled 
patriots)  were  clamoring  for  the  election  of  some  favorite 
individual,  or  the  adoption  of  some  particular  measure,  as 
indispensable  to  the  salvation  of  the  country,  he  would 
touch  me  upon  the  arm  with  '  Ah,  my  friend,  if  people 
could  only  view  these  matters  from  forty,  South,  would  n't 
they  wonder  at  their  own  delusion  and  folly  ?  '  His  opin- 
ions, being  dehberately  and  carefully  formed,  were  adhered 
to  somewhat  tenaciously ;  but,  though  well  prepared  to  de- 
fend them,  he  generally  shunned  controversy,  and  it  was 
only  with  intimate  friends  that  he  would  wilhngly  engage 
in  dispute.  Whenever  he  did  so,  his  manner  was  invaria- 
bly courteous  and  considerate.  He  was  a  firm  believer  in 
the  great  truths  of  Christianity,  and  in  its  adaptation  to  the 
condition  and  wants  of  humanity,  but  had  no  sectarian  pre- 
judices, and  scarcely  a  preference.  He  attached  little  im- 
portance to  forms,  and  was  willing  that  every  man  should 
worship  after  his  own  fashion.  He  held  that  man  was  ac- 
countable to   God  alone  for  his  behef,  and  to  society  only 


MEMOIR   OF  JOHN   BROMFIELD.  87 

for  his  actions.  I  have  more  than  once  heard  him  quote 
approvingly  the  sentiment  of  the  poet :  — 

'  For  modes  of  faith  let  zealous  bigots  fight ; 
His  can't  be  wrong,  whose  life  is  in  the  right.' 

With  these  liberal  views  he  could,  of  course,  tolerate  the 
great  diversity  of  opinion  on  such  subjects  ;  and  he  extended 
this  spirit  even  to  -what  he  deemed  ill-judged  or  useless  ef- 
forts to  proselytize.  He  was  willing  that  Jews  should  chng 
to  the  faith  of  their  fathers  and  remain  Jews,  and  equally 
wilhng  that  \'isionary  enthusiasts  should  associate  for  their 
conversion.  He  concurred  heartily  in  the  sentiment  of 
Lord  Bacon,  that  the  great  object  of  life,  and  the  highest 
duty  of  man,  are  the  '  multiplication  of  human  enjoyments 
and  the  mitigation  of  human  sufferings.' 

"  Mr.  Bromfield  never  married.  It  was  a  subject  seldom 
touched  upon  by  his  friends,  as  they  knew  it  rather  an- 
noyed him.  Occasionally,  however,  it  would  be  brought 
up  ;  and,  when  questioned  as  to  his  motive  for  remaining  in 
a  state  of  '  single  blessedness,'  he  would  treat  it  pleasant- 
ly, and  reply,  in  substance,  that  he  regarded  the  other  sex 
too  highly  to  inflict  upon  any  one  of  them  such  a  husband 
as  he  should  make.  '  No  woman,'  he  would  say,  '  who 
has  a  grain  of  discretion  would  consent  to  bind  herself  to 
such  a  nervous  old  bachelor  as  I  am,  and  a  woman  without 
discretion  would  be  —  not  to  my  taste.'  The  truth,  doubt- 
less, is,  that  Mr.  Bromfield's  characteristic  prudence  de- 
terred him  from  changing  his  condition  untU  he  had  acquir- 
ed a  competency  ;  and  this  he  did  not  accomplish  till  he 
was  so  far  advanced  in  life,  that  the  same  prudence  pre- 
vented his  venturing  upon  the  change  at  all.  He  was  tem- 
perate even  to  abstemiousness  ;  and  solicitude  to  preserve 
health  led  him  to  try  experiments  in  diet,  exercise,  and  ex- 
posure, that  I  fear  impaired  his  constitution  and  shortened 


88  MEMOIR   OF  JOHN   BROMFIELD. 

his  life.  The  manner  of  his  death  was  just  what  he  often 
expressed  a  wish  that  it  might  be,' — sudden  and  without 
suffering.  '  I  doubt,'  said  he,  '  if  I  shall  be  better  pre- 
pared at  one  time  than  another ;  and  therefore,  when  the 
"  grim  tyrant "  comes,  I  hope  he  will  make  short  work  of 
it.'  Were  I  to  sum  up  his  most  prominent  traits,  I  should 
say  they  were  unwavering  devotion  to  whatever  he  deemed 
duty  ;  unwearied  industry  and  unfaltering  perseverance  in 
whatever  he  undertook ;  but,  above  all,  unswerving  integ- 
rity and  uncompromising  self-respect.  Pope  took  a  con- 
tracted view  of  the  glorious  works  of  the  Creator,  when  he 
wrote  the  oft-quoted  hne,  — 

'  An  honest  man  's  the  noblest  work  of  God.' 

But  honesty,  in  the  broadest  sense  of  the  term,  though  not 
of  itself  sufficient  to  constitute  the  noblest  work  of  crea- 
tion, is  an  indispensable  element  in  every  character  worthy 
of  respect ;  and  Mr.  Bromfield  had  this  element  in  perfec- 
tion. Wiser  and  more  talented  men  have  lived,  but  an 
honester  man  never  died. 

"  I  am,  dear  Sir,  respectfully  and  faithfully, 

"  Your  friend  and  servant, 

"Wm.  Sturgis." 

During  his  residence  in  Canton,  Mr.  Bromfield  received 
repeated  and  valuable  consignments  of  property  from  Henry 
Lee,  Esq.,  either  on  his  own  account,  or  from  persons  for 
whose  confidence  he  was  indebted  to  Mr.  Lee's  recommen- 
dation. His  grateful  feelings  on  these  occasions  were  re- 
peatedly sho-\vn  in  his  letters  to  his  mother  and  sisters. 
Thus,  in  March,  1810,  he  wrote :  —  "I  am  much  obliged 
to  Mr.  Henry  Lee  for  his  attentions.  Without  the  small- 
est claim  on  my  part  to  the  smallest  portion  of  his  time  and 
pains,  he  has  not  failed  to  use  both  to  my  advantage."  And 
again,  in  the  following  November,  "  I  am  deeply  indebted 


MEMOIR   OF  JOHN   BROMFIELD.  89 

to  Henrj  Lee  for  unremitting  marks  of  friendship,  and  for 
seconding  mj  interest  on  every  occasion." 

Mr.  Lee  having  been  applied  to  for  his  reminiscences  of 
Mr.  Bromfield,  and  his  views  concerning  his  character,  the 
following  graphic  dehneation  of  them  was  received,  of  which 
he  has  kindly  authorized  the  pubhcation. 

"  Boston,  April  4,  1830. 

"  Hon.  Josiah  Quincy,  —  Sir :  I  am  gratified  that  a  me- 
moir of  the  late  John  Bromfield  is  about  to  be  prepared. 
He  was  a  man  worthy  to  be  held  up  to  praise  and  imitation 
for  his  private  virtues,  not  less  than  for  his  pubhc  benefac- 
tions. 

"  I  can  give  but  little  aid  in  writing  the  history  of  his 
Hfe.  Our  acquaintance  commenced  in  1806,  and  our 
friendly  intercourse  has  been  often  interrupted  by  long  in- 
tervals, during  the  residence  of  both  of  us  in  Europe  and 
Asia. 

"  Nature  had  bestowed  on  Mr.  Bromfield  an  extreme  sen- 
sibility. His  temperament  was  ardent,  and  his  family  afiec- 
tions  intense.  His  mother,  w^ho  was  one  of  the  most  admi- 
rable women  of  her  time,  was  beloved  and  venerated  by  all, 
and  by  her  son  with  an  attachment  bordering  on  devotion. 
From  her  precepts  and  example  Mr.  Bromfield  derived 
many  of  the  most  valued  traits  of  his  character ;  and  the 
desire  to  secure  an  independent  provision  for  her  and  for 
his  brothers  and  sisters,  whom  he  also  ardently  loved,  gave 
probably  the  first  bias  of  his  mind  to  that  determined  spirit 
of  independence  which  formed  the  groundwork  of  his  ef 
forts.  In  his  early  hfe,  and  during  many  years  of  his 
manhood,  he  was  tried  by  adversity ;  and  from  this  disci- 
phne  he  derived  many  of  his  pecuhar  habits,  and  also 
many  of  those  admirable  traits  of  character  for  which  he 

was  distinguished.      His  life  was   not   eventful.      It  had 
I 


90  MEMOIR   OF  JOHN   BROMFIELD. 

no  striking  incident  to  make  it  particularly  interesting. 
In  this  respect  it  was  not,  perhaps,  much  distinguished 
from  that  of  the  most  of  our  merchants  and  seamen,  who 
seek  in  distant  seas  the  profits  of  a  commerce  peculiarly 
exposed  to  danger  from  the  lawless  character  of  the  na- 
tions with  whom,  or,  in  the  vicinity  of  whom,  it  is  carried 
on.  There  is,  however,  one  incident  of  Mr.  Bromfield's 
hfe,  in  which  he  had  an  opportunity  to  display  his  personal 
courage,  presence  of  mind,  and  force  of  character,  which 
was  highly  applauded  at  the  time,  and  which  ought  not  to  be 
omitted  in  any  memoir  of  him.  It  occurred  in  the  year 
1809,  on  board  the  ship  Atahualpa,  of  which  William  Stur- 
gis,  Esq.,  was  commander,  and  on  board  of  Avhich  Mr.  Brom- 
field  was  passenger,  and  was  exhibited  in  defence  of  that 
ship  when  attacked  by  pirates  in  the  China  seas.  You  will 
probably  receive  from  Mr.  Sturgis  a  fuller  account  of  this 
affair,  than  any  I  can  give.  But,  as  the  successful  defence 
and  escape  of  the  ship  from  imminent  peril  were  chiefly  at- 
tributable to  the  prowess  and  skill  of  Mr.  Sturgis,  he  may 
possibly  feel  a  deUcacy  in  dwelling  on  the  facts  with  so 
much  particularity  as  they  deserve,  highly  creditable  as 
they  were  to  all  concerned. 

"  Mr.  Bromfield  was  joint  supercargo  with  Mr.  Sturgis, 
the  commander  of  the  ship  ;  they  having  intrusted  to  their 
management  a  large  amount  of  specie,  then  on  board. 
While  at  anchor  in  Macao  roads,  and  beyond  the  protec- 
tion of  its  fort,  a  large  fleet  was,  early  one  morning,  per- 
ceived, bearing  down  towards  the  Atahualpa.  The  ships, 
full  of  people,  were  some  of  them  of  great  size,  and  were 
disguised  as  Chinamen ;  but  in  fact  they  belonged  to  La- 
drones,  residents  of  the  neighbouring  coasts  and  islands, 
who  make  robbery  and  murder  their  means  of  subsistence. 
They  are  bold,  reckless,  and  efficient.  The  Chinese  au- 
thorities acknowledge  their  inability  to  restrain  their  depre- 


MEMOIR   OF   JOHN    BROMFIELD.  91 

dations.  Many  foreigners,  as  well  as  natives,  have  fallen 
victims  to  that  treachery  and  cruelty,  for  Avhich  the  Malay 
race  are  proverbial.  It  is,  perhaps,  impossible  to  be  at- 
tacked by  a  more  fierce  or  savage  class  of  men,  or  one 
more  qualified  to  fill  the  stoutest  heart  with  dread.  A 
brother  of  Mr.  Bromfield  had  been  a  few  years  before  as- 
sassinated by  them,  in  the  same  seas,  under  very  tragical 
circumstances ;  and  the  sight  of  the  coming  enemy  natu- 
rally excited  in  his  mind  sad  reminiscences  of  his  brother's 
fate.  Other  circumstances,  probably,  tended  to  fill  his 
mind  with  apprehension.  The  chief  ofiicer  (Daniel  C.  Ba- 
con) of  the  Atahualpa,  with  a  great  part  of  the  ship's 
crew,  was  absent,  having  been  sent  away  that  morning,  on 
duty,  to  Macao ;  and  what  remained  of  the  ship's  company 
were  scarcely  sufficient  at  once  to  manage  the  ship  and 
defend  her.  Captain  Sturgis  was,  however,  equal  to  the 
exigency.  Cutting  his  cables,  he  at  the  same  time  hoisted 
his  sails,  in  order,  if  possible,  to  get  within  the  protection 
of  the  fort,  and  gave  battle  to  the  enemy  ;  and,  after  a  serious 
engagement,  in  which  some  of  their  balls  penetrated  to  the 
cabin,  and  the  combustible  materials  they  discharged  had 
wellnigh  set  the  ship  on  fire,  he  succeeded  in  placing  her 
under  the  protection  of  the  fort  at  Macao. 

"  In  this  defence,  Mr.  Bromfield  was  second  only  to  the 
commander  in  courage  and  activity.  He  took  command  of 
a  gun,  and  responded  to  the  orders  of  the  captain  with  a 
self-possession  and  heroism,  which,  with  the  other  quahties 
of  his  head  and  heart,  endeared  him  to  Mr.  Sturgis  for  ever 
afterwards. 

"  In  the  early  periods  of  Mr.  Bromfield's  career,  he  was 
chiefly  employed  as  a  supercargo  in  foreign  voyages,  hav- 
ing very  valuable  interests  intrusted  to  his  management. 
The  times,  however,  were  those  of  embargo,  non-intercourse, 
and  war ;  and  the  circumstances  by  which  his  agency  was 


92  MEMOIR   OF  JOHN   BROMFIELD. 

surrounded  were  unpropitious.  But,  althougli  much  of  the 
property  which  was  committed  to  him  was  lost,  no  shadow 
of  reproach  was  ever  cast  either  upon  his  judgment,  con- 
duct, or  fideUty ;  and  he  enjoyed  to  the  last  the  entire 
confidence  of  all  those  who  had  constituted  him  their 
agent. 

"After  the  restoration  of  peace,  in  1815,  Mr.  Bromfield 
employed  the  small  property  he  had  then  accumulated  in 
adventures  abroad,  particularly  in  Eastern  commerce,  from 
whence  he  drew  large  profits,  in  consequence  of  his  thor- 
ough acquaintance  with  Oriental  customs  and  trade. 
When,  however,  through  the  increase  of  competition,  this 
employment  of  his  capital  became  less  profitable,  he  with- 
drew it,  and  subsequently  devoted  himself  to  its  increase 
by  investments,  which  the  course  of  the  exchange  ofiered, 
and  which  he  made  with  great  prudence,  avoiding  all  risks, 
and  seeking  safe  rather  than  extravagant  gains. 

"  His  rules  of  action  were  fixed,  such  as  he  deemed  it 
the  imperious  duty  of  a  merchant  habitually  to  observe ; 
and  these  he  applied  to  the  management  as  well  of  his  own 
property  as  of  that  intrusted  to  him.  To  put  any  thing 
important  in  jeopardy  for  the  sake  of  great  profits,  —  to 
engage  in  hazardous  enterprises  on  borrowed  capital,  and, 
for  the  sake  of  gain  to  ourselves,  to  risk  the  property  of 
others,  —  were  frequent  topics  of  his  reproof  and  reproba- 
tion; the  delicacy  and  firmness  of  his  principle  in  this 
respect  are,  in  this  '  go-ahead  community,'  so  uncommon, 
that  they  may  well  be  enumerated  as  among  his  ^peculiar- 
ities.^ His  tastes  and  habits  in  the  latter  periods  of  his  life 
had  indeed  the  aspect  of  singularity.  Though  he  shunned 
society,  he  did  not  seek  solitude.  He  lived  in  the  retire- 
ment of  his  own  lodgings,  yet  at  proper  seasons  was  on  the 
exchange,  where  he  attended  to  his  own  business,  —  but 
troubled  himself  not  at  all  with  that  of  others.     He  had 


MEMOIR   OF   JOHX   BROMFIELD.  93 

a  morbid  dislike  of  notoriety,  so  that,  beyond  a  very  cir- 
cumscribed circle  of  old  friends  and  acquaintance,  his 
worth  was  unknown  and  unappreciated.  This  aversion  to 
notoriety  led  him  always  to  avoid  all  conversation  relative 
to  himself  or  his  own  purposes.  Being  once  questioned 
concerning  the  engagement  with  the  Ladrones  in  the  China 
seas,  with  a  design  to  draw  him  into  an  account  of  it,  he 
kindly  and  characteristically  replied,  — '  That  affair  has 
been  a  little  exaggerated,  and  too  much  praised.  I  will 
only  say,  I  am  incapable  of  wishing  that  even  an  enemy  of 
mine  should  be  ever  placed  in  so  disagreeable  a  predica- 
ment.^ 

"  Although  Mr.  Bromfield  avoided  frequent  intercourse 
even  with  those  towards  whom  he  stood  in  intimate  and 
friendly  relations,  yet  this  did  not  arise  from  any  disrespect 
or  want  of  affection  for  his  fellow-men ;  still  less  could  it  be 
referred  to  any  mental  or  moral  inaptitude  to  appreciate 
the  pleasures  and  advantages  of  social  intercourse,  and  its 
elevating  and  civilizing  tendencies.  For  no  one,  who  en- 
joyed the  pleasure  and  advantage  of  his  society,  could  fail 
to  perceive  the  cordial  and  respectful  spirit  in  which  he 
sustained  his  part.  His  conversation  was  replete  with  in- 
formation, entertaining,  and  instructive.  His  mind,  natu- 
rally strong,  had  been  improved  by  careful  cultivation, 
and  his  observations  indicated  great  meditation  and  re- 
search. His  opinions  were  characterized  by  originahty 
and  independence ;  frequently  differing  from  those  gene- 
rally entertained,  and  often  from  those  of  the  persons  with 
whom  he  conversed  ;  yet  he  listened  with  attention  and  re- 
spect to  the  arguments  of  those  who  differed  from  him,  and 
yielded  the  same  right  of  independence  to  the  judgment  of 
others,  which  he  claimed  for  his  own. 

"  Mr.  Bromfield's  manners,  on  the  first  approach,  were 
somewhat  formal,  even  to  his  friends  and  acquaintance,  but 


94  MEMOIR   OF  JOHN   BROMFIELD.  , 

in  nothing  vrere  they  austere  or  repulsive.  There  was  in 
his  demeanour  so  much  of  dignity,  refinement,  and  gentle- 
ness, that  even  a  transient  acquaintance  could  not  fail  to 
perceive  that  he  possessed  all  the  qualities  which  character- 
ize a  gentleman. 

"  His  systematic  avoidance  of  general  society,  and  of  all 
the  amusements  which  occupy  the  time  and  thoughts  of  most 
men,  and  his  love  of  seclusion,  were  indeed  striking  pecu- 
liarities in  his  character,  and  were  the  result,  unquestion- 
ably, of  habits  which,  acquired  first  from  a  sense  of  duty, 
and  being  continued  for  many  years  by  the  events  of  his 
early  life,  became  at  last  fixed  and  inveterate.  He  was  also 
constitutionally  liable  to  physical  infirmities,  which  subjected 
him  to  great  self-denial.  He  was,  therefore,  temperate  from 
principle,  and  often  abstemious  from  necessity.  The  exact 
fulfilment  of  his  moral  and  social  obligations  became,  in 
time,  the  absorbing  principle  of  his  conduct,  and  guided 
every  action  of  his  life.  Economy  in  expenditure,  also, 
which  was  commenced  at  first  from  necessity  and  duty,  re- 
sulted ultimately  in  an  unremitting  habit.  It  was  the  effect 
neither  of  selfishness  nor  of  avarice.  For,  although  he  scru- 
pulously avoided  all  ostentatious  charities,  he  was  habitu- 
ally in  the  custom  of  contributing  to  the  wants  and  the 
comforts  of  those,  whose  necessities  came  within  his  knowl- 
edge. As  his  wealth  increased,  his  desire  to  be  extensive- 
ly useful  increased  with  it.  Having  effected  his  own  in- 
dependence, and  also  acquired  what  he  deemed  sufiicient 
for  that  of  the  relatives  he  loved,  he  extended  his  views, 
and  embraced  within  their  sphere  more  general  charities,  to 
which  he  determined,  that,  either  during  his  life  or  at  his 
death,  they  should  be  appropriated  ;  his  design  to  accu- 
mulate being  ever  associated  with  the  intention  to  accom- 
plish some  wise  and  benevolent  object.  To  this  end  he 
repressed    every  temptation    to  self-indulgence,  and  sought 


MEMOIR   OF  JOHN   EROMFIELD.  95 

every  occasion  of  self-sacrifice.  The  spirit  which  actu- 
ated him  is  not  only  strikingly  manifested  in  his  munifi- 
cent bequests  to  the  public,  but  still  more  by  his  private 
legacies. 

"  In  conclusion,  I  cordially  respond  to  the  tribute  paid 
to  his  memory  by  the  Trustees  of  the  Massachusetts  Gen- 
eral Hospital,  in  their  recent  Report.  '  Notwithstanding 
the  many  acts  of  liberality  of  Mr.  Bromfield,  he  was  not  a 
seeker  of  notoriety  or  praise.  He  was  remarkable  for  in- 
tegrity, sound  judgment,  quiet  resolution,  and  public  bene- 
factions. What  he  behoved  to  be  his  duty,  he  did.  He  is 
remembered  for  his  public  bounty.  But  he  deserves  as 
much  respect  for  his  private  virtues.  Those  who  knew  him 
best,  esteemed  him  the  most.' 

"  I  am  yours  with  great  respect, 

"Henry  Lee." 

To  these  letters  of  Mr.  Sturgis  and  Mr.  Lee,  are  here 
subjoined  two  others,  from  Messrs.  Augustine  Heard  and 
Daniel  C.  Bacon,  gentlemen,  like  the  former,  of  high  mer- 
cantile standing,  and  also,  like  them,  universally  appreci- 
ated in  this  community  for  the  soundness  of  their  judgment, 
and  for  their  capacity  to  estimate  justly  the  qualities  of  mind 
and  heart  which  constitute  character.  The  concurrent  opin- 
ions of  such  men,  the  uniformity  of  their  affection  for  Mr. 
Bromfield,  and  their  similar  testimony  to  the  elevated  prin- 
ciples and  motives  by  which  he  guided  his  life,  form  a  trib- 
ute to  his  memory,  beyond  which  nothing  can  be  hoped  for 
or  desired. 

"  Boston,  April  18,  1850. 

"  Hon.  Josiah  Quincy,  —  Dear  Sir :  You  have  ex- 
pressed a  wish  that  I  should  communicate  to  you  any  thing 
that  may  occur  to  me,  that  would  be  useful  to  you  in  writing 


96  MEMOIR   OF  JOHN   BROMFIELD. 

a  memoir  of  our  late  friend,  j\Ir.  Bromfield ;  and  I  have  a 
sincere  wish  to  do  so,  but  am  doubtfiil  if  any  thing,  that  I 
can  say,  will  aid  you. 

"  My  first  acquaintance  with  Mr.  Bromfield  was  in  Chi- 
na, in,  I  think,  1809,  where  he  was  joint  supercargo  of  the 
Atahualpa  with  Mr.  William  Sturgis.  He  remained  after 
the  departure  of  the  ship,  as  Mr.  Lyman's  agent  in  China, 
where  he  was  considered  a  model  man,  not  only  by  his 
countrymen,  but  by  the  Chinese  with  whom  he  had  deal- 
ings. In  all  his  transactions  he  was  scrupulously  just  and 
accurate,  which  gave  him  the  entire  confidence  of  all  who 
knew  him ;  and  through  life  he  always  sustained  the 
character  of  a  man  of  sterhng  principles,  pure  mind,  and 
kind  dispositions,  never  for  a  moment  forgetting  the  claims 
of  those  around  him.  He  was  constitutionally  a  gentle- 
man, and  could  not,  if  he  would,  have  been  otherwise,  — 
possessing  an  unusual  degree  of  refinement,  combined  with 
great  intelligence  and  sound  judgment.  His  knowledge  was 
always  at  command,  and  always  at  the  service  of  his 
friends.  In  speaking  upon  any  subject  in  which  he  felt  an 
interest,  the  ease  and  flow  of  his  language  kept  pace  with 
the  vigor  and  rapidity  of  his  thoughts,  and  his  conversation 
at  such  times  was  most  interesting.  In  his  habits  he  was 
exact  and  uniform,  and  to  his  industry  and  punctuahty 
may  be  attributed  his  remarkable  acquisition  of  informa- 
tion on  so  many  topics.  He  was  always  careful  of  his  per- 
sonal expenditures,  from  a  sense  that  extravagance  would 
not  conduce  to  his  happiness ;  this,  combined  with  his  busi- 
ness talent,  enabled  him  to  exhibit  during  his  lifetime  a 
degree  of  liberality  that  few  men  can  bring  themselves  to  do. ' 

"  In  a  conversation  that  I  had  with  him  the  day  before 
the  attack  that  carried  him  from  among  us,  when  he  was 
unusually  cheerful,  he  spoke  very  freely  of  leaving  the 
world,  and  of  the  desirableness  of  being  taken  away  upon 


MEMOIR   OF  JOHN   BROMFIELD.  97 

a  short  summons,  and  named  a  number  of  instances  of 
those  whom  he  had  known,  who  had  departed  without 
suffering,  or  giving  trouble  to  their  friends  (which  was  al- 
ways a  consideration  with  him),  and  without  the  painful 
sense  of  a  gradual  wasting  of  the  powers  and  strength  of 
manhood,  which  is  usually  attendant  upon  protracted  ill- 
ness. This  comparatively  happy  exit,  however  desirable,  he 
observed,  could  not  be  secured ;  we  must  submit  to  our 
destiny.  Upon  this  occasion  he  remarked,  quoting  some 
ancient  authority,  that  death,  as  it  was  the  fate  of  all  the 
living,  should  not  be  considered  an  evil ;  that  leaving  this 
world  was  part  of  a  great  plan  unnecessary  for  us  to  under- 
stand. 

"  Mr.  Bromfield's  character  was  not  marked  by  points 
which  served  to  make  him  popular  with  the  world  ;  yet,  if  it 
can  be  said  of  any  one,  it  may  of  him,  that  '  he  was  a  man 
without  guile,'  and  fuU  of  excellent  qualities. 

"  I  can  hardly  suppose  that  the  foregoing  will  be  of  any 
service  to  you  ;  yet  I  shall  be  glad  if  it  should  be  so.  All 
Mr.  Bromfield's  friends  must  rejoice  that  a  remembrance  of 
him  is  to  come  from  your  hands. 

"  I  am,  dear  Sir,  very  respectfully, 

"  Your  obedient  servant, 
"Augustine  Heard." 

"  Boston,  March  28,  1850. 

"  Hon.  Josiah  Quincy,  —  My  dear  Sir :  Your  favor 
under  date  of  the  27th  instant,  requesting  me  to  give  you 
any  reminiscences  I  may  have  concerning  the  late  Mr. 
John  Bromfield,  or  any  opinion  or  facts  I  possess  illustrative 
of  his  character,  is  before  me.  I  am  aware  that  I  am  to- 
tally incompetent  to  do  justice  to  the  character  of  such  a 
man  as  Mr.  Bromfield.  I  was  acquainted  with  him  from 
1808  to  the  time  of  his  death,  and  can  truly  say  I  have 


98  MEMOIR   OF  JOHN   BROMFIELD. 

always  had  and  still  retain  the  greatest  respect  for  him  as  a 
high-minded  moral  man,  of  the  strictest  integrity,  and  one 
of  the  most  agreeable  and  pleasant  companions,  both  on 
board  ship  and  on  shore,  that  it  was  ever  my  good  fortune 
to  be  acquainted  with.  I  made  a  passage  with  him  in  the 
ship  Atahualpa,  in  1809,  to  China.  During  that  voy- 
age the  ship  was  attacked  off  Macao,  by  twenty-two  large 
Ladrone  junks,  some  of  them  twice  the  tonnage  of  the  ship ; 
and  it  was  entirely  owing  to  the  courage  and  good  judg- 
ment of  Capt.  WiUiam  Sturgis,  and  the  great  exertions  of 
the  others  on  board  at  the  time,  only  two  thirds  of  a  crew 
(myself  and  four  men  being  absent  at  the  time),  that  saved 
the  ship  from  capture,  and  the  lives  of  all  on  board ;  Mr. 
Bromfield  having  performed  all  that  lay  in  his  power  dur- 
ing the  engagement,  with  the  same  unflinching  discharge 
of  duty,  however  arduous,  which  marked  his  whole  life. 
Mr.  Sturgis's  conduct  for  courage  and  good  judgment  in 
that  engagement  received  the  highest  praise  from  all  those 
who  saw  and  were  capable  of  judging  of  the  manner  in 
which  the  ship  was  worked,  and  his  great  exertions  to  save 
the  ship  and  crew  from  the  pirates. 

"  I  am.  Sir,  very  respectfully, 

"  Your  obedient  servant, 

"  Daniel  C.  Bacon." 

These  testimonies  from  men  of  highly  intelligent  and  in- 
dependent minds,  to  whom  different  opportunities  for  obser- 
vation gave  an  intimate  knowledge  of  Mr.  Bromfield's 
principles  and  motives,  and  the  causes  of  his  pecuharities, 
present  a  striking  delineation  of  his  character. 

The  high  reputation  for  ability  and  integrity  he  thus  at- 
tained among  his  immediate  associates,  and  the  small  capital 
he  acquired  during  his  agency  in  Canton,  laid  the  founda- 
tion of  his  fortune.     After  his  return  to  the  United  States 


MEMOIR   OF  JOHN   BROMFIELD.  99 

he  employed  himself  in  the  management  of  his  own  funds, 
and  in  again  superintending  agencies  in  foreign  countries, 
intrusted  to  him  by  his  friends,  in  which  his  knowledge  of 
commerce  and  his  known  judgment  gave  great  promise  of 
success.  Fortune,  however,  resumed  her  former  unpropitious 
aspect.  "  I  have  been  captured,"  he  writes  to  his  sister 
from  Cadiz,  in  January,  1813,  "  and  detained  ten  weeks  in 
Gibraltar.  The  consequence  is  ruin  to  the  business  I  had 
undertaken.  I  regret  that  I  have  never  been  able  to  im- 
part to  you  a  single  instance  of  my  success.  But  it  is  a 
melancholy  truth,  that  in  the  whole  course  of  my  hfe  I  have 
never  arrived  at  a  good  market." 

Mr.  Bromfield  was  now  about  thirty-four  years  of  age, 
and  the  want  of  success  attendant  on  his  foreign  voyages 
induced  him  to  place  beyond  the  reach  of  such  vicissitudes 
that  attainment  of  independence  which  was  the  object  of  his 
eflforts. 

Fixing  his  residence  in  Boston,  or  its  vicinity,  he  watch- 
ed, with  a  practised  eye  and  a  skilful  foresight,  the  ebb  and 
flow  of  the  exchange.  Sometimes  in  connection  with  the 
house  of  Bryant  &  Sturgis,  or  of  Henry  Lee,  he  engaged 
in  adventures  abroad,  well  conceived  and  carefully  in- 
sured ;  at  others,  he  availed  himself  of  the  phases  of 
the  money  market,  which  he  diligently  observed  and  well 
understood. 

Thus,  by  the  vigilant  and  careful  investment  of  his  small 
capital,  by  the  rigid  practice  of  economy,  in  seclusion  from 
general  society  and  from  the  temptations  of  vanity  and 
amusement,  by  deducting  scarcely  any  thing  from  his  ac- 
quisitions beyond  what  was  necessary  to  his  own  subsist- 
ence, and  to  that  charity  to  others  which  he  habitually  prac- 
tised, he  gradually  executed  his  plan  of  life,  attained  inde- 
pendence for  himself,  and  the  power  of  conferring  important 
benefits  on  others  and  on  the  public.     His  books  show  that 


100  MEMOIR   OF  JOHN   BROMFIELD. 

his  kind  acts  and  charitable  contributions,  though  secret, 
were  constant.  The  bounty  of  his  spirit  to  his  friends  and 
relatives  was  uninterrupted,  discriminating,  and  most  liberal. 
To  the  general  claims  of  pauperism  he  listened  dubiously, 
and  often  with  disregard,  being  of  opinion,  that  indiscrimi- 
nate charity  was  one  of  the  fruitful  causes  of  the  state  it 
pretends  to  reheve.  To  public  solicitations  he  seldom 
yielded.  Although  the  care  of  his  property  and  its  gradual 
accumulation  made  the  chief  employment  of  Mr.  Brom- 
field,  his  time  was  not  exclusively  devoted  to  affairs  of  busi- 
ness. His  knowledge  of  life  and  acquaintance  with  the 
world  opened  to  him  never-failing  sources  of  thought  and 
reflection,  which  were  readily  placed  at  the  service  of  all 
who  had  recourse  to  him.  In  contributing  to  the  instruc- 
tion of  others,  his  language  was  easy  and  eloquent ;  and  in 
what  he  uttered  there  were  ever  displayed  research,  medita- 
tion, various  information,  and  deep  wisdom.  Books  were  to 
him  a  constant  source  of  occupation  and  amusement.  In 
their  company,  he  felt  not  the  want  of  general  society. 
Self-sustained,  and  with  an  ever-pervading  sense  of  his  re- 
sponsibility to  Heaven,  he  valued  but  little,  and  courted 
not  at  all,  the  common  opinion  of  mankind. 

As  his  property  increased,  his  desire  of  usefulness  in- 
creased with  it.  The  objects  to  which  his  acquisitions 
should  ultimately  be  applied  were,  probably,  never  out  of 
his  mind.  The  right  of  selecting  them  was  maintained  and 
vindicated  with  a  pertinaciousness  belonging  to  that  spirit 
of  independence,  for  which  he  was  distinguished. 

In  December,  1845,  Mr.  Bromfield  communicated  to  the 
writer  of  this  Memoir  the  liberal  design  which  occupied  his 
thoughts,  in  language  at  once  characteristic,  and  indicative 
of  a  fixed  purpose.  "  My  property,"  said  he,  "  has  in- 
creased beyond  my  hopes  and  even  my  desires.  I  now 
feel  myself  at  liberty  to  gratify  a  prevailing  wish  of  my 


MEMOIR  OF  JOHN   BROMFIELD.  101 

heart,  and  to  do  something  permanent  and  useful  for  a  city, 
in  which  a  great  part  of  my  hfe  has  been  passed.  Circum- 
stances have  made  it  my  duty  to  accumulate.  But  I  see 
no  value  in  wealth,  and  have  little  regard  for  it,  except 
for  its  ultimate  use  ;  but  in  respect  to  this  I  feel  a  sense  of 
great  responsibility.  Hitherto  my  view,  as  to  that  ulti- 
mate use,  has  been  limited  to  the  provisions  of  my  last 
will.  But,  as  my  property  has  increased,  I  begin  to  doubt 
whether  an  application  of  a  part  of  it  to  an  earlier  object 
of  usefulness  be  not  most  wise.  By  will,  a  man  bestows 
only  what  he  can  no  longer  keep.  It  is  a  fund  of  gener- 
osity, formed  out  of  the  expectations  and  rights  of  relatives 
and  heirs.  Nothing  can  be  strictly  called  a  gift,  except 
that  which  a  man  executes  in  his  lifetime.  For  this  I  am 
prepared  and  desirous.  But  I  must  be  unknown.  I  have 
extreme  repugnance  to  notoriety."  The  conversation  then 
turned  upon  the  amount  he  proposed  to  give,  and  to  the  ob- 
jects to  which  it  should  be  applied.  He  observed,  that  he 
felt  justified  in  giving  away  fifty  thousand  dollars,  but  after 
great  deliberation  he  had  resolved  to  restrict  his  gift  at 
present  to  twenty-five  thousand.  As  to  the  object  of  his 
bounty,  the  wants  of  the  Boston  Athenseum  were  known  to 
him,  and  he  had  concluded  to  come  to  its  aid.  His 
pleasure  in  literary  pursuits  made  a  chief  part  of  his 
enjoyment,  and  probably  decided  the  direction  of  his 
liberality.  Mr.  Bromfield's  repugnance  to  be  known  as 
the  author  of  this  gift  to  the  Athenaeum  was  with  great 
difficulty  surmounted.  But,  when  it  was  urged  that 
its  origin  could  not  long  be  concealed  in  an  inquisitive 
community, —  that  he  might  be  subjected  to  inquiries, 
which  his  strict  regard  to  veracity  would  render  it  impos- 
sible to  evade,  —  and  also  that  it  was  as  much  a  man's  duty 
to  be  true  to  himself,  as  to  be  just  to  others,  he  finally  ac- 
ceded ;  and  reluctantly  consented,  that  if  the  proposal  of 


102  MEMOIR  OF  JOHN   BROMFIELD. 

his  gift  and  its  terms  were  accepted  by  the  Proprietors 
of  the  Athengeum,  his  name  should  not  be  withhekl. 

The  friends  of  Mr.  Bromfield  were  aware,  that  the  pecu- 
liarities of  his  life  and  the  delicacy  of  his  sensibility  had 
prevented  many  of  his  contemporaries  from  forming  a  just 
estimate  of  his  worth  and  his  generosity ;  the  publicity  thus 
given  to  his  bounty  was,  therefore,  to  them,  highly  gratify- 
ing ;  and  it  was  apparent  that  the  satisfaction,  derived  from 
perceiving  that  his  character  and  liberal  views  were  ap- 
preciated and  understood,  added  much  to  the  happiness 
of  the  few  remaining  years  of  his  hfe,  and  more  than  com- 
pensated for  the  annoyances,  arising  from  the  constant  ap- 
plication for  charity  and  patronage,  which  this  public  dona- 
tion immediately  occasioned. 

His  death,  an  event  which  he  had  accustomed  himself  to 
contemplate  and  be  prepared  for,  was  granted  him  in  a 
manner,  for  which  he  had  often  expressed  a  hope.  On 
the  morning  of  the  8th  day  of  December,  1849,  after 
an  early  walk,  he  returned  to  his  apartment ;  and,  when 
called  to  breakfast,  he  was  found  insensible  from  a  stroke 
of  apoplexy.  Although  he  Avas  apparently  aware  of  the 
presence  of  his  sister  and  her  husband,  and  of  other  friends, 
who  were  immediately  summoned  to  his  residence,  and  who 
watched  over  his  last  hours,  distinct  consciousness  never 
returned  ;  and  on  the  following  day  his  life,  which  he  had 
endeavoured  to  lead  under  a  sense  of  being  "  ever  in 
his  great  Task-master's  eye,"  was  terminated,  without 
gradual  decay  or  protracted  suffering. 

His  property  was  found  after  his  death  considerably  to  ex- 
ceed two  hundred  thousand  dollars,  invested  with  great  judg- 
ment and  care,  and  was  distributed  by  his  last  will  with  a 
wisdom  and  precision  altogether  in  unison  with  the  princi- 
ples and  habits  of  his  life.  Having  fulfilled  to  the  utmost 
the    duties  of    afl&nity,   affection,   and  friendship,  he    de- 


MEMOIR   OF  JOHN   BROMFIELD.  103 

voted  his  remaining  ample  resources  to  the  service  of  the 
pubHc,  giving 

To  the  Massachusetts  General  Hospital,  and  to  the 

McLean  Asylum,  in  equal  shares,  .  ^  40,000 
"  "  Massachusetts  Eye  and  Ear  Infirmary,  .  10,000 
"  "  Boston  Female  Asylum,  .  .  .  10,000 
"  "  Asylum  for  Indigent  Boys,  .  .  .  10,000 
"  "  Farm  School  at  Thompson's  Island,  .  10,000 
"  "  Asylum  for  the  Blind,  ....  10,000 
Seamen's  Aid  Society,  .         .         .         10,000 

Tovm  of  Newburyport,  for  its  improvement 

and  ornament,* 10,000 


li 


$110,000 

By  these  noble  and  generous  benefactions  to  the  pubhc, 
Mr.  Bromfield  erected  an  enduring  memorial  to  his  own 
virtues,  and  to  a  name  of  which  he  was  the  last  representa- 
tive. And  this  sketch  of  his  life  may  be  appropriately 
closed  in  the  words  of  his  nearest  survi\ang  relative  :  — 

"  The  distinguishing  trait  of  my  brother's  character  was 
his  quick  discernment  of  the  true  and  the  real,  apper- 
taining to  our  human  existence,  and  his  power  of  separat- 
ing them  with  almost  equal  sagacity  from  their  apparent 
and  nominal  value.     At  no  period  of  his  life  did  he  look 

*  The  following  are  the  provisions  of  Mr.  Bromfield's  will  in  relation  to  this 
subject ;  — 

'•  I  order  the  sum  of  ten  thousand  dollars  to  be  invested,  at  interest,  in  the 
Hospital  Life  Insurance  Company,  in  the  city  of  Boston,  so  and  in  such  man- 
ner as  that  the  selectmen  or  other  duly  authorized  agents  of  the  town  of  New- 
buryport,  for  the  time  being,  may  annually  receive  the  interest  which  shall 
accrue  or  become  payable  for  or  in  respect  of  said  deposit;  and  I  direct,  that, 
by  or  in  behalf  of  said  town,  the  interest  so  received  shall  be  annually  ex- 
pended,—  one  half  in  keeping  the  sidewalks  in  the  public  streets  of  said 
town  in  good  order,  and  the  other  half  in  the  planting  and  preserving  trees  in 
said  streets,  for  the  embellishing  and  ornamenting  of  said  streets  for  the 
pleasure  and  comfort  of  the  inhabitants." 


104  MEMOIR   OF  JOHN   BROMFIELD. 

forward  to  being  made  happy,  —  hardly  to  being  made  hap- 
pier, —  by  the  attainment  of  that  honorable  competency  for 
which  he  struggled  nobly  and  labored  unremittingly.  Yet 
this  insight,  and  superiority  to  the  usual  incitement  to  activ- 
ity, united  with  a  nervous  temperament  and  a  delicate  con- 
stitution, never  led  him  to  seek  refuge  in  repose.  With 
systematic,  unflinching,  personal  selfdenial,  he  strained 
every  nerve,  and  exerted  every  faculty,  to  procure  for  oth- 
ers, not  merely  the  means  of  alleviating  the  ills  of  life,  but 
of  gratifying  every  rational  indulgence  and  merited  enjoy- 
ment. One  portion  especially  of  his  mercantile  experience 
strongly  tested  the  self-reliance,  decision,  and  indomitable 
courage  of  his  character.  The  grand  basis  of  rehgious 
principle  laid  by  his  mother,  combined  with  intellectual 
strength,  and  power  of  will,  and  moral  energy,  enabled  him 
to  sustain  himself  through  a  long  Hfe,  to  the  accomplish- 
ment of  his  plans  of  usefulness,  and  the  fulfilment  of  his 
destiny." 


73S> 
B7/ 


THE  LIBRARY 
UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA 

Santa  Barbara 


THIS  BOOK  IS  DUE  ON  THE  LAST  DATE 
STAMPED  BELOW. 


50m-l,'63(D4743s8)476 


UC  SOUTHERN  REGIONAL  LIBRARY  FACILITY 


D     000  340  761     6 


